BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius baseball team kicked off its home slate with a  9-5 win over the Buffalo Bulls on Tuesday afternoon. The squad scored seven runs in the first three innings en route to the victory. With the win the Griffs are now 6-13, while the Bulls are 6-10.

With the game tied 3-3, the Blue and Gold recorded a four-run bottom of the third, giving the squad a 7-3 lead, an advantage it never relinquished.

Canisius used a “pitcher by committee” approach to the game, as Alex Godzak made the start and worked one inning and allowed two hits and two earned runs and fanned one. Andrew Sipowicz came on in relief and worked an inning, while Andrew Kneussle was next, working a strong two innings and earning his first win of the season. The freshman hurler held the bulls hitless and struck out three batters.

Aaron Casper, Michael Ginther, Tyler Smith, Jared Kennedy, and Alvin Vega combined for 4.1 innings before Iannick Remillard came on to record his fourth save of the year, as he worked 0.2 innings and retired both batters he faced.

The Bulls sent Andrew White to the hill as he went 2.2 innings, allowed four hits and seven runs with just one earned in the loss. Logan Harasta, Ben Vey and Make Kaelin all combed for 5.1 innings of work and allowed four hits and two earned runs.

Offensively two players recorded a pair of hits in the contest, as Jake Lumley went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and an RBI, while Ryan Stekl went 2-of-5 with an RBI. Jake Walter led the team in RBI, recording a pair as he went 1-for-4.

The Griffs took control of the game early in the contest as big third inning rally helped stake claim to the lead. White worked into trouble as Stekl singled up the middle and Liam Wilson walked. Walter reached on an error which allowed Stekl to score. Later in the inning Jack Massa reached on a fielder's choice and brought in Wilson. Christ Conley doubled to left field, notching another RBI for the Blue and Gold, while the junior catcher later scored on a wild pitch to cap the rally.

The Griffs now prepare for its first MAAC series of the year as the squad takes on Saint Peter's. Currently the series is slated for one game on Thursday, with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday. However rain could force the schedule to be flexed back onto the weekend. Check back to GoGriffs.com for all the latest schedule updates.