On Friday, the softball team left frigid Buffalo to begin its 2009 campaign in Kennesaw, Ga., at the K-Club Classic. The event hosted by Kennesaw State University consisted of talent ranging from Miami (OH), Drexel, Memphis and Iowa.
The Bulls (2-2) lost their first game on Friday against the RedHawks (4-5) in a 9-0 demolition, but won their second game of the evening against the Drexel Dragons (1-4), 4-3.
The Bulls finished the tournament with a 2-2 record and had wins against Drexel University and the University of Memphis.
In Buffalo's opening game against its MAC rival, the Bulls dug themselves into a hole in the first inning. Miami scored five of its nine runs, and the Bulls were never answered back.
Freshman pitcher Emily Zuchlewski recorded her first career hit as a Bull, while senior infielder Dana Carter contributed with Buffalo's only other hit during the game.
One problem for the Bulls was from the play of RedHawks pitcher Meredith Linch. Linch only allowed two hits during the game and struck out nine of 18 batters she faced off against.
The RedHawks scored four more runs in the top of the fourth, bringing the game to 9-0. Due to mercy rules, the game ended in the fifth inning. In total, the RedHawks had seven hits in five innings against junior pitcher Sharon Barr. Barr threw a complete game, striking out three batters while walking six.
Later in the day, the Bulls took on the Dragons in a tight game. After three scoreless innings, both squads earned runs back and forth, with the Bulls winning in the end.
The Bulls took a 1-0 lead off of sophomore outfielder Candice Sheehan's RBI after junior outfielder Kristen Gallipani singled and then stole second base. The lead was then surrendered to the Dragons in the sixth inning after the Bulls gave up three runs.
Not looking to lose a second game, the Bulls responded. Sheehan singled to start things off, advancing to third base after senior catcher Erin Zilka hit a single up the middle. Freshman infielder Kristin Waldron then hit a single to left field, starting Buffalo's scoring rally.
Freshman pitcher Terese Diaz hit an RBI single up the middle, scoring Zilka. Waldron then scored off a sacrifice bunt by senior infielder Dana Carter.
The Bulls held the 4-3 lead to the end of the game, earning their first victory of the 2009 season.
After splitting Friday's games, the Bulls opened Saturday against Memphis (6-7). Using momentum from Friday's victory, the Bulls defeated the Tigers in extra innings, 2-1.
In the fourth inning, the Bulls scored after Zilka doubled to right center. She then scored thanks to Diaz's line drive to center field. Buffalo's 1-0 lead would hold until the bottom of the seventh, where the Bulls surrendered a run after Tori Gross hit a homerun off of Diaz. Until that point, Diaz had struck out seven players and only allowed three hits.
Zilka earned the winning run after an RBI single in the ninth inning. The Tigers couldn't come back after Diaz struck out Memphis' last two batters. She ended the game with 11 strikeouts and with her second win in the season.
In their last matchup of the tournament, the Bulls faced off against the Iowa Hawkeyes (10-3). Iowa proved its dominance on the field, defeating the Bulls 4-0.
The Bulls had seven hits on the day, but were unable to capitalize off of any of them. Iowa pitcher Amanda Zust dominated the Bulls, giving up only five hits while striking out four. She didn't allow any walks. Pitcher Brittany Weil closed out the game for the Hawkeyes, striking out five of the seven batters she faced.
The softball team travels to Raleigh, N.C., to play in the NC State Tournament next weekend. They are to face off against the College of Charleston, Canisius, NC State and St. John's.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
