CANYON, Texas – The #8 Buffaloes got back to their winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they connected on three homeruns to pick up a 19-11 victory over the Drury Panthers to salvage a non-conference split at Wilder Park in Canyon.
 
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning as Ryker Harrington singled to right with the bases loaded and one out to drive in a pair followed later in the frame by a wild pitch for the 3-0 lead. 
 
The Buffs got on the board in the home half of the frame as Rodric Black tagged up and scored on a shallow fly ball followed by a Zak Bentancourt two-run double to left, WT would take the lead later in the frame as Dylan Fesperman scored from third on a wild pitch followed by a Drury error that scored Betancourt for the 5-3 lead.
 
Drury used the long ball to tie up the game in the top of the second on a Wes Collins two-run shot to right center with two outs, the Panthers would add to their lead in the third as Landon Willbrand doubled down the left field line to drive in one followed by a two-run homerun by Kadyn Byrnes to make it 8-5.
 
The Panthers used the long ball to add to their lead in the fifth as Connor Bain lifted a solo shot to center field with one out. The Buffs responded in the bottom of the fifth as Betancourt bounced a ground-rule double over the left field wall to score Fesperman followed later in the frame by a Kyle Micklus grand slam to right center for the 10-9 lead.
 
The Buffs added to their lead in the sixth as Kory Schmidt started off the frame with a solo homerun the other way to right field followed later in the frame by a Paul Wittmann RBI double down the right field line and a Black RBI single for the 13-9 lead. WT used the long ball again in the seventh as Fesperman crushed a two-run shot to left center followed by a Glenn Noronha RBI single for the 16-9 lead.
 
Drury wouldn't go down without a fight as Collins connected on a two-run homerun to left. The Buffs added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth as Schmidt singled to center to plate Wittmann followed by a Drury error with two outs that scored a pair to make it 19-11. 
 
Nick Yeager picked up the win (1-0) for the Buffs, allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts in his 4.0 innings of relief.
 
The Buffs and Panthers close the weekend with a Sunday exhibition starting at Noon at Wilder Park. Admission for the series finale will be free of charge.