After coming off a win on Wednesday, the softball team looked to begin Mid-American Conference play on a high note. The Bulls split two games against Ohio on Friday and lost the first game against Akron on Saturday.
The Bulls (3-19, 1-3 MAC) got off to a good start on Friday, as the team scored the first run of the game in the first inning on a wild pitch.
Ohio (14-14, 3-5 MAC) would make up for their mistake in the top half of the inning by notching four runs in the bottom of the first. Courtney Waters scored the first run to even the game at one. After two Bobcats reached base, Emily Wethington connected for a three-run home run to put Ohio ahead 4-1. Waters would come home to score another run in the second inning to add to the lead.
Buffalo's bats came alive in the sixth inning to tie the game at five. With one out, junior designated hitter Wendy Sheehan reached base on a Bobcat error and freshman Lindsey Hampton was sent in to pinch run. Sophomore pitcher Sharon Barr singled, sending Hampton to third. Junior first baseman Dana Carter followed up with an RBI single. The rally was continued by freshman second baseman Alex Bejarano, who also had an RBI single. Junior catcher Erin Zilka delivered a double to drive in two runs to even the game.
After the Bulls didn't score in the seventh, Ohio did not let the game extend to extra innings. Deanna Hartsough began the inning with a single. Pinch runner Paige Kemezis advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and was then brought home on a walk-off single by Wethington.
Barr went six and a third innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and two walks.
In the night game, Buffalo scored three runs in the first inning. After the first out, senior shortstop Marcy Hansen singled to left field, and was sent to second when senior center fielder Mary Russell reached base on an error. Barr's RBI single brought in Hansen. Bejarano's double brought in Russell and Barr to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead.
The scoring continued in the top of the fourth when Bejarano led off with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt single by freshman outfielder Candice Sheehan. Sophomore right fielder Kristen Gallipani belted a three-run homer to put the Bulls ahead, 6-0.
Ohio responded in the bottom half of the inning, driving three runs home. Hartsough began with a lead off single. Pinch runner Sara Clark scored on a bases-loaded walk by Alicia Catlette. Jordan Paden had a sacrifice fly to bring in another run. Shalene Petrich singled in the third run. That was followed by scoring one more in the fifth, bringing the score to 6-4.
Buffalo would not surrender the lead over the last two innings and was able to hold on for a 6-4 victory.
Sophomore Katie Ivancich earned the win and pitched a complete game. She went seven innings giving up four earned runs. She allowed five hits and six walks, striking out one batter.
On Saturday, the Bulls went up against the Akron Zips. Like both games on Friday, Buffalo jumped out to an early lead in the first when Zilka smashed a solo home run.
The early lead was short lived as the Zips (12-23, 2-6 MAC) scored three in the first. Buffalo bounced right back to tie the game in the second inning when Bejarano led off with a walk and scored on a fielder's choice by Gallipani. Zilka then lined a single to the outfield to tie the game at three.
The Bulls went ahead in the fourth inning when Russell singled with the bases loaded to give Buffalo a one-run lead. But Akron pushed three runs across home in the fifth to take a commanding 6-4 lead that was too much for the Bulls to overcome.
On Sunday, Buffalo lost their second consecutive game to Akron, falling 12-2. This was Buffalo's 14th loss in its last 16 games.
The Bulls continue their MAC schedule on Friday, April 11 with a doubleheader against Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
