Fielding Follies and Pitching Problems

The baseball team has exploded offensively. However, it still finds itself with a sub .500 record.

The Bulls (7-11, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) committed eight fielding errors in their first three MAC games last weekend. The most costly turned what could have been a game-ending double play into a four-run Central Michigan (11-13, 2-1 MAC) ninth-inning walk off.

But, more troubling than the inconsistency of fielding the ball cleanly has been the pitching. Through the first 18 games the Bulls' pitching staff has an ERA of 8.41. The offense has kept the Bulls competitive, but they will need to lower their more than 10 runs against per game average if they want to win in the MAC.

"Our offense is insane right now," said senior pitcher Kevin Crumb. "I think if we put some other pieces together then we're going to be really good in conference. I think our pitching needs to get better definitely. Our team ERA is around eight, that needs to get better. As a pitcher, every one of us knows that. Also, we need to clean up a little bit defensively. I think once we do put those together, we're going to be good and I don't think we're far away."

Junior catcher Tom Murphy is having yet another monstrous season at the plate. However, his leadership with the pitching staff has helped them get outs by calling pitches against opposing hitters.

"Murph has helped us a lot," Crumb said. "He's back there calling pitches for us. He knows what to do, how to work a batter. So it's just up to the pitchers to make pitches."

The pitching rotation is made up of all seniors. Kevin Hughes, Cameron Copping, and Jeff Thompson started 14 of the 18 games so far and have a combined ERA of over eight runs, and the bullpen has been worse. The Bulls are just 6-4 when leading after six innings.

The combination of not pitching on a real field all winter and the costly errors behind the pitchers has caused the high run totals against.

The Bulls have committed 28 errors in just 18 games this season. Their .956 fielding percentage is on track for a typical year compared with previous seasons, however.

Head coach Ron Torgalski realizes that fielding is a huge concern for the Bulls that has cost them games.

"It's not like we're putting pressures on guys," Torgalski said. "[I tell them] go out, relax, make plays. It seems like it's one play that just kind of opens the flood gates and you got an opportunity to get out of an inning and you don't and then all of a sudden three runs later you're down one."

Buffalo's preseason schedule consisted of teams from warmer climates. The extra months that teams get to play outside helps them get ready for the bounces on dirt fields. The Bulls have been forced to either play inside or on the turf football field with no real mound.

"We don't really get on the field early," Crumb said. "Actually when we first got out on the field our defense wasn't that bad. I mean the last couple games it hasn't been that bad but we made a few errors here and there. So it definitely doesn't help practicing mostly in the winter."

The Bulls appear to be more into the swing of the season now that there are some games under their belts. Buffalo has been consistently competitive in its most recent competition and hopes to continue it through MAC play, which gets back underway this weekend.

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