Weather was a major player in the softball team's matchup against Niagara on Wednesday.
Because of harsh rain and winds at Niagara Field, the Bulls (21-21) were only able to play one of their previously scheduled games against the Purple Eagles (19-15). In that single game, the Bulls fell 8-1.
The Bulls were on the scoreboard first after senior outfielder Erin Zilka hit her second homerun in two games in the first inning.
However, the lead was lost fairly quickly.
Niagara responded in the bottom of the first after Maggie McDonald and Kristin Kill both earned runs to put the score at 2-1 in favor of the Purple Eagles. In the bottom of the second, Kill earned another run, while Teresa Healy earned her first run of the game, putting Niagara up by three runs.
While the Bulls tried to strike back, the Purple Eagles were too strong for them. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kristin Sito earned her first run of the game, adding another score for the Purple Eagles.
Buffalo would never strike back. The Purple Eagles' defense held the Bulls to no hits until the fifth inning.
The Bulls looked to possibly come back in the top of the sixth inning when sophomore outfielder Lindsey Hampton, freshman infielder Kristin Waldron and senior infielder Dana Carter all earned hits for the Bulls. However, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunities they created.
At the bottom of the sixth, the Purple Eagles hit Buffalo's jugular when Jen Hare hit a devastating homerun that scored three more runs for the Purple Eagles, sealing Buffalo's fate, 8-1.
Buffalo freshman starting pitcher Terese Diaz was relieved after only two innings, after loading the bases with Purple Eagles. In those two innings, Diaz managed to strike out three Purple Eagles. Junior pitcher Sharon Barr took over, playing the remainder of the game and striking out four more Purple Eagles.
For Niagara, Julie DiMatteo pitched six innings, including five strikeouts, before Patricia Kennery finished up the seventh inning. Kennery gave up no hits, no runs and only one strikeout. This is the third time in a row that the Purple Eagles have defeated the Bulls. Buffalo will wrap up the road portion of their regular season schedule this weekend in Ohio. They take on Bowing Green on Friday in a doubleheader. The first game begins at 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
