After numerous cancellations due to the weather, the UB Softball team was finally able to add some games to their record. Buffalo (14-18 overall, 5-6 Mid-American Conference) made its way to Ohio (12-23, 6-6 MAC) this past weekend for a sloppy three game series filled with errors. After adding two to the loss side of their record, the Bulls were able to add one to the win column on Sunday.
In the first game of the doubleheader, UB learned that things were not going to be a piece of cake in Ohio. Game one lasted 12 innings yet only one run was scored, occurring in the bottom of the twelfth.
Stacey Evans held her spot on the mound for the entire game and only gave up five hits while striking out eight. However, one of those hits was a single in the bottom of the twelfth to Ohio's Erin Chapman, allowing the runner on third Kiersten Scrima to advance to home plate and score the only run of the game, giving Ohio the 1-0 win. Scrima, who started on second thanks to tiebreaker rules, made her way to third after a sacrifice bunt by Jennifer Tisevich.
The Bulls faced the Bobcats again Saturday night but only played the usual seven innings. In the second, Shannon Weidner scored on a UB error and Emily Futscher followed her around the bases after a single by Sarah Melvin, giving Ohio the lead early on.
With the Bobcats leading 2-0, Mary Russell stepped up to the plate and hit a double into left center. Russell made her way home after an RBI single by Ann Magur, changing the score to 2-1.
Ohio's relief pitcher, Natalie Armstrong, was relentless however, saving the game for the fourth time this season.
Typically, losing two games would dampen a team's spirit, especially when they have to face the same team again the next day. But, the UB softball team was able to put their two losses to Ohio on Saturday behind them when they laced up their cleats for Sunday's game. The Bulls defeated the Bobcats 2-1, posting both the tying and go-ahead runs after two Ohio errors in the top of the seventh.
While the Bulls left runners on base in the fifth and sixth innings, thanks to some help from Bobcat errors they were able to bring runners home. Julie Hibner got on base after an error and rounded the bases following an error on a hit by Russell. Jessica Labella singled in the inning but was replaced by pinch runner Lauren Picciano.
Magur then brought Picciano home on a groundout to second.
Evans, UB's pitcher who threw all seven innings, came in at the bottom of the seventh to keep the Bobcats at just one run. Along with pitching all seven innings, Evans also struck out three and allowed only three hits. Throughout the weekend Evans' record for innings without an earned run rose to 62.0.
The Bulls now look ahead to two non-conference double headers away this Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday the Bulls will face Columbia and Thursday they will be at Stony Brook.
Buffalo returns home next weekend for a three game series against Western Michigan. Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game against the MAC rivals both start at 1p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
