UB softball (11-15, 3-2 MAC) was unable to pull off a win in Tuesday’s double header against the Niagara Purple Eagles (9-11, 2-1 MAAC).
The two teams faced off first at 1 p.m. in what turned into a nine inning game. It was a slow start until the fourth inning, when the Bulls utilized a bases loaded walk by sophomore catcher Lily Lauck.
Niagara soon got the chance to come back. Nearing the end of the sixth inning, senior outfielder Sara Kelly hit a single to center field and moved to second off a fielding error. Lauck was able to hit a sacrifice fly which scored Kelly and tied the game 2-2.
The Bulls answered right back when senior infielder Madison Fernimen gave her team a 3-2 lead after a hit to left field.
The Purple Eagles responded with a deep fly ball that tied the game at 3. The Bulls weren’t able to respond. The game proceeded into the ninth inning, when Niagara hit a pop up to win the game 4-3.
In the second game, the Purple Eagles came out strong, scoring four runs in just the first inning and an additional three in the second.
Sophomore first basewoman Abbey Nagel got Buffalo a hit and eventually advanced to third, before scoring on Ambrose’s single to left field. Junior infielder Alyssa Wasielewski and Fernimen loaded the bases for Buffalo when senior second basewoman Tianna Williams cleared the bases with a single. A fielding error resulted in all the Bulls on base to score, giving Niagara only a 7-4 lead.
The Bulls were able to keep up, scoring two more runs but Niagara stayed in the lead after scoring three runs on three hits. At the top of the fifth, the Purple Eagles extended their lead even further, bringing the score to 11-6.
During the rest of the fifth inning, the Bulls continued to stay in the game by scoring three more.
In the seventh inning, Niagara hit a home run and an RBI single, giving the Purple Eagles a total of 13. After an Ambrose single and a Wasielewski triple, Ambrose got the Bulls final point of the night, resulting in a 13-10 loss for Buffalo.
The Bulls continue their season on Friday at 1 p.m. when they host the Miami (OH) Redhawks. They’ll play Miami again Saturday in a doubleheader. All three games can be streamed on YouTube.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
