For the Bulls, this softball season has been chalked up as a fairly disappointing season. Unfortunately, things didn't seem to look up when they travelled to Ohio over the weekend to play a doubleheader against the conference dwellers, the Toledo Rockets.
While the Bulls (23-23, 6-12 Mid-American Conference) looked to improve their record, the Rockets (8-34, 6-12 MAC) tried to improve their dismal record themselves. The Bulls won the first match 3-2, but Toledo stole the second match 3-1.
The first game of the doubleheader was looking to be a pitcher's duel as both teams remained scoreless through two innings - until senior infielder Dana Carter hit her first home run of the season to put the Bulls ahead 1-0.
Toledo wasted no time in coming back as they scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Buffalo's seniors stepped up tremendously like they have all season for the Bulls, putting together another late inning comeback win.
Sophomore outfielder Candice Sheehan led off the sixth inning for Buffalo with a single to right field. Senior catcher Erin Zilka then hit a one-out-double into right center that drove Sheehan home and tied the game up 2-2.
Freshmen infielder Kristin Waldron followed with a triple driving in what would eventually be the winning run as the Bulls won the first game of the doubleheader 3-2.
Buffalo standout freshmen pitcher Terese Diaz pitched yet another gem by throwing a complete game, striking out 11, and earning her 13th win of the season.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Diaz looked to be on her way to earning her 14th win of the season. Carter smashed a homerun to right field, putting the Bulls ahead of the game 1-0. Toledo only managed to squander one hit off Diaz until their offense erupted for three runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore outfielder Kate Ricchio hit a one out infield single that ignited the rally. Junior outfielder Mica Sanchez followed Ricchio with a single of her own.
From here, the stage was set as it was senior day at Scott Park on Sunday.
With two runners on base, it was perfect timing for a senior to come up big, and senior outfielder Brie Ford did just that for the Rockets. She blasted a three-run-homerun over the left field wall that made for the final margin of 3-1.
Unlike Friday's matchup, this time Buffalo couldn't get the timely hits that they needed to pull out another late inning comeback as they dropped the second game of the doubleheader 3-1 to the Toledo Rockets.
Buffalo's Tuesday doubleheader against St. Bonaventure was cancelled due to inclement weather. Their next match will be against Western Michigan on Friday. The doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m.
