Senior Connor Panas and junior Brett Siddall recorded three RBI each as the Canisius College baseball team powered past the University at Buffalo Bulls, 13-6, in the team's home opener on Wednesday afternoon. With the win the Griffs improved to 6-9 overall, while Buffalo fell to 3-7.

The Griffs shook off a rough first inning after Buffalo took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first, as the Griffs exploded in the bottom of the second for six runs, and never relinquished the lead.

A pair of homeruns by Panas and Siddall helped provide the fireworks for the game as the duo collected two hits and six RBI combined. Sophomore Jake Lumley led the team with a pair of hits as he knocked in an RBI as well. Junior Anthony Massicci and senior Jesse Puscheck also chipped in an RBI apiece.

The Griffs had six different pitchers get work in on Wednesday as freshman Shawn Holman got the start, pitching the first inning as he let up two hits and one earned run. Senior Brandon Bielecki saw the most action for the Blue and Gold as he went three strong, allowing just two hits, one earned run and recorded three strikeouts.

Sophomores Zachary Sloan, Josh Shepley, and senior Eric Stolzenberg combined for 4.1 innings of work as the group allowed just two earned runs on five hits. Senior Tyler Vavra came on to record the final two outs as he struck out both hitters to close out the contest.

After falling behind, 3-0 after the first inning, the Griffs didn't waste time in turning the tables in the second. Puscheck doubled to right field, which drove in freshman, Ryan Stekl to give Canisius its first run of the game. Panas came up later in the inning and pounded a three-run homerun to left field to make it 6-3, putting Canisius in the drivers seat.

After scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Griffs continued the offensive onslaught in the bottom of the eighth. After both Panas and Lumley got on, Siddall left little doubt as he blasted his second homerun of the season, plating three RBI as he capped the Canisius scoring.

The Griffs now get ready to travel to Terre Haute, Ind., to play a four-game set at the Indiana State University tournament this weekend. Canisius will play Indiana State on Friday, March 13 with a 3 p.m., first pitch time. Canisius will then play Central Michigan on Saturday, Indiana State again on Sunday and Rutgers on Monday. Game times for the trio of games are 12 p.m., 3 p.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.