Two out of three ain't bad, and the UB softball team ended the weekend looking good, taking two of three games from Mid-American Conference rival, the Akron Zips.
Saturday afternoon's doubleheader began with senior pitcher Stacey Evans earning her fourth win in 15 career games in a 2-1 decision for UB (9-22 overall, 5-5 Mid-American Conference). Evans pitched for seven innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out six.
"The pitching staff had two great performances," said head coach Marie Curran. "Stacey (Evans) and Sophie (Barstad) both pitched very well against some really great hitters."
On offense, junior Lisa Wheat boosted Buffalo with a pinch hit double off Akron right-hander Tina McCauley in the seventh inning. Freshman Laura Kor, on base after hitting an infield single and advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt, raced home to score the game-winning run.
"(Kor) is a very talented young freshman that is having some really good games for us," said Curran.
Game two began just under a half hour later with the Bulls pulling out a 2-0 win over the Zips (18-16 overall, 2-8 MAC).
A sophomore pitcher, Barstad (5-7) took the mound for Buffalo, pitching her second shutout of the season. She sent four Akron batters to the dugout with strikeouts and just three Zips got on base.
Senior Melissa Pace scored the Bulls' first run. Pace reached base in the second inning on a single to left, advancing to second on a Julie Hibner bunt. Pace made her way home on a double to left by freshman Lacy Schneider.
The Zips spoiled a perfect home stand at Nan Harvey Field, defeating the Bulls, 3-1.
Akron got started early with leadoff hitter Sara Zilles' double to center to begin the game. Rebecca Stern hit a sacrifice bunt to move Zilles to third and Jaclyn Spirtos hit a hard line drive towards second but Evans made a diving catch to escape the inning.
Things looked up for the Bulls in the second inning, as they scored one run in the inning. Hibner made her way to first on a single to center field, moving to second following an infield single by Colleen Greene, and scored after a double to right center by Lauren Picciano.
The Zips struck back in the top of the fourth when Spirtos, who was denied an RBI by Evans in the first, rocketed a homerun to tie the score, 1-1. Akron tallied two more runs in the top of the sixth when Kelly Quigley hit a double down the right field line, scoring runners from both first and second and raising the score to 3-1.
"Really, it was only two bad pitches that caused game," said Curran. "For the home run, Stacey (Evans) threw the ball right over home plate. Her and our pitcher both knew as soon as it was coming that any college player should be able to hit out of the park."
Evans was on the mound for six innings for the Bulls, striking out three and allowing four hits. Barstad came in for the seventh. For the Zips, McCauley earned the complete win, throwing four strikeouts and allowing six batters to make it to first base.
The Bulls will face the Canisius Golden Griffins Monday in a doubleheader at Nan Harvey field.
Canisius is coming off of a split series against Siena. First pitch for Monday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
