It was a rocky road through the Buckeye State last weekend as the softball team started a 14-game road trip with doubleheaders against conference opponents Akron and Ohio.
The Bulls went 1-3 on the weekend with their sole win coming in the second game of the doubleheader against the Bobcats, 2-0 on Saturday.
Freshman walk-on pitcher Jennifer Biernacki threw a complete game for the Bulls in her first career win and shutout. She also struck out two and allowed seven hits in the game as she improved her record to 1-3.
Buffalo took the lead early when sophomore utility player Marcy Hansen scored on freshman outfielder Erika Zilka's RBI groundout in the first inning. The Bulls' only other run came in the fourth inning on junior designated hitter Sophie Barstad's fifth home run of the season. Barstad's home run also extended her team-leading RBI total to 22.
The second game of the doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday but was moved to anticipate rain in the area. It also snapped a five-game losing skid the Bulls (10-31, 2-8 Mid-American Conference) had been on.
In the second game, the Bulls fell to the Bobcats, 7-1.
Ohio drew first blood with a run in the third inning on a Courtney Waters double that scored Marian Davis and then racked up six runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Bulls' only response came in the sixth when Hansen was driven home on junior outfielder Mary Russell's sacrifice fly.
Barstad took the loss as she pitched the complete game. She allowed eight hits and seven runs in the loss but also stuck out four.
Michelle Sauter pitched a complete game for the Bobcats (22-24, 6-6 MAC). Besides allowing one run, she also only gave up three hits and made eight strikeouts on the afternoon. Waters provided the most the most punch for the lineup, going 2-3 with two runs and two RBIs in the game.
On Friday the Bulls went winless in a doubleheader against the Zips, with a shutout loss in the first game, 5-0, and then a 12-5 defeat in the second.
Akron (19-17, 8-4 MAC) opened up the scoring in the second game when Jaclyn Spirtos scored on an Amy Pedro triple. Buffalo could not respond to Akron as the Zips scored at least one run in the next three innings in the win.
Freshman catcher Kim Hanzlian went 2-for-3 to lead the Bulls. Carrese Moody, who went 3-4 with two RBIs and a run in the afternoon match-up, led the Zips.
Barstad and Akron's Megan MacKenzie both pitched complete games for their teams. However, Barstad allowed eight hits, four earned runs, and five walks with just one strikeout while MacKenzie gave up six hits and struck out 10 in the shutout.
In the second game, Akron scored in every inning but the fifth and put up five runs in third as Buffalo was unable to keep up with its conference foe in the run department.
Zilka led the Bulls in hitting for the game. She went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run in the nightcap game. Pitching duties were split between sophomore Margo Schramm and Biernacki. Schramm took the mound for the first four innings, giving up eight hits, seven earned runs and a walk while striking out two in the process, before being relieved by Biernacki for the final two. Biernacki allowed one hit, one run, and three strikeouts in limited time.
Julie Boyes provided much of the spark for the Zips with her 2-for-3 batting, and five RBIs. She also pitched a complete game and gave up three earned runs and struck out four.
The Bulls next visit Canisius in a doubleheader at the Demske Sports Complex on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. and then play another doubleheader against conference opponent Western Michigan on Friday at 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
