While many students took a break from school in Florida or Cancun, the Buffalo softball team was all business, traveling to Laurence, Kan. to compete in the Kansas Invitational Softball Tournament.
???The team opened up competition on Friday with a doubleheader against the Big 12's Kansas Jayhawks. Buffalo dropped both games, falling 9-0 in the first game and 12-5 in the second game.
???In the first game, the Bulls fell behind early as Kansas scored three runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning. After holding the Bulls scoreless in the second and third innings, Kansas added two runs in the third and two more in the fourth inning.
???In the top of the fifth, Buffalo loaded the bases, but was unable to push across any runs. Sophomore pitcher Sharon Barr led off the inning with a single, and advanced on a single to left-center by junior third baseman Ashley Kanavy. Sophomore right fielder Kristen Gallipani drew a two out walk to load the bases, but a called strike three ended the rally short.
???In the bottom half of the inning, the Jayhawks hit their fourth homerun of the game to take a 9-0 lead and secure the victory. The Kansas offense was lead by third baseman Val Chapple who hit three homeruns and six RBIs.
???Buffalo junior catcher Erin Zilka, Barr, and Kanavy all had hits for the Bulls, while sophomore pitcher Katie Ivancich struck out two and walked just one, in four innings on the mound.
???In the second game of the doubleheader, Kansas jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Jayhawks added six runs on six hits in the top of the second, but the Bulls rallied back in the bottom half of the inning.
???Buffalo junior Wendy Sheehan and Barr lead off the inning with back-to-back doubles. Sophomore infielder Jackie Burke pinch ran for Sheehan and scored on an RBI single from freshman pitcher Stephanie Visperas. With runners on the corners, Visperas attempted to steal second and drew a throw, which allowed Barr to score the second run of the inning for the Bulls.
???Buffalo kept the Jayhawks off the board in the top of the third, and added two more runs in the bottom half of the inning, when Barr hit a single scoring Sheehan and Russell.
???Kansas answered in the fourth inning by adding two runs on two hits. In the top of the seventh the Jayhawks scored two more and extended their lead to 12-4.
???In the bottom of the seventh, the Bulls put up a fight scoring one run on two hits. Zilka brought home Gallipani with a ground out to first for the final Buffalo run. Barr finished the game 3 for 3 with two RBIs and Gallipani, Zilka, Sheehan, and Visperas all had hits in the loss.
???On Saturday, the Bulls were scheduled to play a doubleheader against Louisiana Tech and University of Kansas, but both games were cancelled due to bad weather and poor field conditions.
???Back on the field Sunday, the Bulls fell 8-0 to Louisiana Tech. Despite the Buffalo offense being held scoreless, Barr had a nice day at the plate going 3 for 3, finishing 7 for 8 on the weekend. Russell, Sheehan, and Gallipani also added hits for the Bulls. In addition to her bat, Barr pitched the complete game, giving up four earned runs while striking out three and walking one batter.
???The Bulls begin the Mid-American Conference portion of their schedule on Friday, March 28 with a doubleheader against Toledo. Buffalo continues its schedule with games against Bowling Green on March 29 and March 30.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
