???For the softball team, a visit to The Wolverine State was a nice change of pace.
???After going 1-9 in their last ten games, the Bulls (21-20, 4-10 Mid-American Conference) swept Central Michigan (9-25, 1-11 MAC) in a doubleheader on Friday and split with Eastern Michigan (16-26, 4-10 MAC) on Saturday.
???In game one on Friday, the Bulls took advantage of the Chippewas' miscues early in the game.
???Buffalo jumped to a quick 2-0 lead when sophomore outfielder Lindsey Hampton scored on an unearned run in the first inning and sophomore infielder Alexandra Bejarano hit her first career homerun in the second inning. Freshman infielder Dominique Carcone also added to Buffalo's run by scoring on an error after pinch running for junior pitcher Sharon Barr.
???The Chippewas looked like they were preparing a comeback in the sixth inning when Tracy Kaatz's RBI triple scored Amanda Klosterman to make it 3-1, but that was the only run they would earn that game. After Barr retired Chippewa's rotation in the seventh inning, the Bulls were victorious, 3-1.
???Barr earned the victory for the Bulls after she relieved freshman pitcher Terese Diaz in the middle of the third inning. Barr pitched 3.2 innings giving up one run on one hit. She had two walks and two strikeouts on the day.
???While the second game began more slowly than the first, the Bulls were victorious yet again.
???The game began with two scoreless innings before Buffalo surrendered the first run of the game to the Chippewas. However, Central Michigan's lead would not last long.
???In the top of the fourth, the Bulls rallied together a string of hits from senior infielder Erin Zilka, Bejarano, Diaz and senior infielder Dana Carter. Freshman infielder Kristin Waldron reached base on a fielder's choice and then stole second, putting herself in a scoring position. ???Barr then earned an RBI after laying down a fielder's choice bunt that scored Waldron. Carter followed by knocking in Barr and Bejarano on a single to right field, giving the Bulls a 3-1 lead.
???In the seventh inning, the Chippewas put the tying run aboard with two outs and junior pitcher Katie Greenman at the plate. Greenman hit a line drive right into the glove of the Bulls' Zilka to end the game and give the Bulls a 3-2 victory.
???Following their doubleheader on Friday, the Bulls headed to Ypsilanti, Mich., to take on the Eagles of Eastern Michigan. Their two-game winning streak ended once the Bulls entered Oestrike Stadium.
???In game one, Buffalo scored first, which would be their only run of the game. Hampton hit a double to right center, while Zilka responded to drive Hampton home, putting the Bulls up, 1-0.
???The Eagles answered by scoring 10 straight runs, earning a pair in the second, fourth and fifth innings and closing the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
???Diaz held the Eagles to two hits in the first three innings of the game, while Barr pitched the remaining 2.2 innings. She struck out five batters.
???Following the 10-1 loss, the Bulls regrouped to win their third conference game in four attempts. Buffalo scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning after freshman infielder Kristin Waldron hit a single up the middle. Bejarano responded by hitting a single to right field, bumping Waldron to second in the process. Diaz hit a single to right field, scoring Waldron as she earned the RBI.
???Eastern Michigan responded by earning two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, making the score 2-1. While they took the lead, the Bulls tied the game at the top of the seventh. Sophomore outfielder Kristen Gallipani hit her first home run of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Her score sent the game to extra innings.
???Zilka would lock the game for the Bulls in the top of the ninth, where she hit her second home run of the season with the bases loaded. After Carter singled and sophomore outfielder Candice Sheehan singled down the left field, Hampton walked to load the bases. Zilka then earned her grand slam, sending the ball over the left field fence to end the game, 6-2.
???Diaz pitched the entire game for the Bulls, striking out four batters while only giving up two runs.
???Buffalo travels to local rival Niagara University on Wednesday for an out-of-conference doubleheader. Game time is at 3 p.m.
Additional reporting by Staff Writer Chris Lew.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
