The Bulls didn't have one last push in them, as they fell to the Ohio Bobcats (15-17, 5-6 Mid-American Conference) on Saturday, 6-5. Buffalo (18-16, 1-8 MAC) was only able to muster two runs in their last ups in the bottom of the seventh inning, but failed to score a third to force extra innings.
Terese Diaz started on the mound for Buffalo, and even though she gave up lead off singles in back to back innings, the Bulls' defense played tough , and that was the all the damage done by the Bobcat offense. Buffalo failed to produce even a hit with their first two innings at the plate, but after a wonderful third inning defensively from Diaz, the Bulls exploded in the bottom half of the third. After back to back singles with one out from Kristen Gallipani and Candice Sheehan, Jaime Sheffler came through with a fielder's choice that brought in Gallipani for the first run of the afternoon, and Sheehan moved over to third. After Sheffler stole her fourth base of the season, and Erin Zilka grounded out, Kristin Waldron hit one back to the pitcher, that resulted in an error and Sheehan was able to cross home plate for Buffalo's second run. Diaz helped herself with a two out single to center, to pick up an RBI, as Sheffler scored the third run of the inning.
Diaz lost control a little in the top of the fourth inning, as she hit a Bobcat, who ended up scoring on a single and a throwing error, but she calmed down and only let up one more run, as Ohio cut the Buffalo lead to one. The Bulls' next two turns at bat were uneventful, as they went down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning, and stranded one on base in the bottom of the fifth. Ohio threatened with runners on the corners in their half of the fifth, and then the floodgates opened up in the sixth, as they knocked Diaz out of the game and piled up four runs in the process, taking the lead 6-3. Buffalo and Ohio went three up and three down in the bottom of the sixth and the top of the seventh, respectively, which set the stage for a potential big time comeback.
Playing to an intense and emotionally invested crowd, with their last licks the Buffalo Bulls started off strong, beginning with a leadoff single from Alex Bejarano, who was pinch hitting for Kelly Cummings. Gallipani got on with an infield single, and Sheehan was able to move the runners over with a groundout. Zilka came to the plate with two on and two out, and she connected for a single to right, to bring in both runs. However, with Zilka on second and Kristin Waldron up to bat, she lined out to left field, ending the game, as well as Buffalo's late game heroics. The Bulls fell to 1-8 in their conference, and 18-16 overall on the year.
Diaz was charged with the loss, dropping her to 9-7 on the season, as she gave up six runs, three earned. She walked three and gave up six hits, but also struck out four in her five and third innings of work. Sharon Barr came on in the sixth, to pitch a scoreless one and two-thirds innings, but with a lack of offense, The Bulls couldn't pick up their second conference win. They get a chance at redemption on Sunday, the 12th, as they play their last home game for 16 days. Buffalo's upcoming eight game road trip is as important as ever, as they will need to pick up strong conference wins to build momentum as they march towards the MAC Tournament, May 6th.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
