Bulls Fall In Home Opener To Canisius, 4-3

Wednesday, March 28

4 pm

7-12

Canisius

5-19

Canisius

Buffalo

Bulls Fall In Home Opener To Canisius, 4-3

3/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team was able to overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday afternoon, but ultimately fell to visiting Canisius, 4-3, in UB's home opener at Nan Harvey Field. The loss drops the Bulls to 7-12 on the season.

UB starter Holly Johnson had a tough time finding the strike zone early as she walked five batters in just 2.1 innings of work, allowing two runs in the top of the second. Sophomore Tori Speckman then came on in relief and allowed one more in the top of the fourth, before the Bulls began to mount a comeback.

Buffalo began the bottom of the fifth inning with a hit as senior Kristin Waldron doubled to left field. She was moved over to third on a ground out by Tori Pettine and then came in to score on an infield single from freshman Karly Nevez.

The Bulls then added two runs in the bottom of the sixth as a pair of newcommers teamed up to tie the game. Freshman Alexis Curtiss doubled to right center with one out and then junior Caitlin Dekker hit the first home run of career to center field. Dekker got into an early 0-2 count, but managed to work the count before homering on the 10th pitch of the at bat.

However, Canisius would regain the lead in its next at bat as Stephanie Pfentner led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to right center field giving Canisius the 4-3 lead. The Bulls were then retired in order in the bottom of the seventh.

"I thought we came out a little flat today," said head coach Jen Teague. "We managed to fight back in the late innings, but we need to show a lot more energy from the start. We will work on fixing what we can tomorrow and get ready to start MAC play on Friday."

Speckman evened her record to 5-5 as she picked up the loss for the Bulls, allowing seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. Johnson did record four strikeouts in her 2.1 innings. Offensively, Waldron and Nevez each went 2-for-3 from the plate, while three other players each recorded hits on the afternoon.

The Bulls will return to action on Friday when they begin MAC play by hosting Eastern Michigan in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 1:00 pm.