Buffalo's softball team is recovering from a disappointing performance at the UT Chattanooga-hosted Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tenn. this past weekend. While the Bulls were able pick up their first win of the season, they were defeated in relatively convincing fashion in the other three contests they played.
The Bulls (1-8) went into the weekend with their game faces on, but problems arose from the very beginning. The tournament started on an inauspicious note as both Friday's games against Morehead State and Marshall were canceled due to inclement weather. Neither of the two games will be made up.
Head coach Marie Curran acknowledged that the cancellation of the games might have taken the wind out of the players' sails, but was not willing to use the rainouts as a reason for the way the rest of the weekend went.
"I know the girls were very ready to play Friday, but we're not going to make excuses," Curran said. "We should have competed better."
The Bulls played well in their Saturday afternoon match up against Marshall (8-8), taking the game by a score of 11-6. The win served as the first collegiate victory for freshman pitcher Stephanie Visperas, who pitched a complete game, striking out two batters over the course of seven innings.
Bulls' sophomore first baseman Sharon Barr drew first blood in the bottom of the second, blasting a solo home run over the left-centerfield wall.
Buffalo would go on to pile up 10 more runs over four innings of play, two of which were delivered when senior center fielder Marry Russell hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth frame, registering two of her four RBIs of the game with one swing.
Sophomore left fielder Kristen Gallipanni had a stellar offensive showing, going 2 for 2 at the plate with one RBI. In addition to her work on the mound, Visperas helped her cause with two hits of her own. Junior designated hitter Wendy Sheehan, junior catcher Erin Zilka and freshman second baseman Alexandra Bejarano contributed hits as well.
Barr took the mound Saturday night when the Bulls fell to Wright State (5-10) by a 9-4 decision. The sophomore threw the complete game and fanned five Raiders throughout. Barr accounted for much of the Bulls' offense as well, knocking in three runs.
Russell had a hit in the game, as did junior third baseman Ashley Kanavy, and freshman right fielder Candice Sheehan.
Russell continued her solid offensive performance in Sunday morning's game against Eastern Illinois (3-4), but it was ultimately not enough as the Bulls fell to EIU, 9-1. Her second homer of the weekend was Buffalo's only run of the game.
Senior Lacy Schneider and sophomore Jaime Sheffler tallied their first hits of the season, while Bejarano and Sheehan safely knocked themselves on base as well. Barr took the loss on the mound.
The Bulls were smoked 11-3 by Connecticut (3-6) in the final game of the weekend, with Visperas falling victim as the losing pitcher.
Sheehan and Bejarano each tallied hits, but Russell was, as she was all weekend, the face of the Bulls' bats. She went 2-3 with an RBI.
Even in defeat, it should come as no surprise that Russell was named the Mid-American Conference East Player of the Week award in recognition of her efforts in Tennessee. She finished the weekend with a .429 batting average with six RBIs, two homeruns and a pair of stolen bases. She's also riding a four-game hit streak.
While Curran expressed concern with the number of errors committed on the field and walks conceded by pitchers, she found encouragement in the resolve her squad displayed over the course of the weekend.
"They fought through every inning of every game," Curran said.
Though they will work and hope for a better showing, Curran suggests that last weekend will remain with them, serving as a lesson for the team.
"You never want to forget about it," Curran said. "We learn from every game."
That resolve will be tested again this weekend, as Buffalo hopes to bounce back at the UC Riverside Tournament in Riverside, Calif. Their first game against Iowa is scheduled for Friday at noon.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
