Bulls Swept By Northern Illinois

Sunday, April 21

11 am

University at Buffalo

12-26, 5-9

Northern Illinois

17-26, 7-7

Northern Illinois

Buffalo

4/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader on Sunday falling to Northern Illinois, 6-4, in extra innings in the opener and 6-0 in the second game. Prior to today's game, the Bulls honored their four-member senior class.

UB got on the board first in the opener, taking advantage of a two-out error in right field and getting an RBI single from junior Heather Ryder. The Bulls remained ahead until the top of the fourth when Northern Illinois scored three runs to take the lead against UB starter Tori Speckman.

The Bulls came back in the bottom of the fifth, putting together a pair of runs. Junior Sammi Gallardo and freshman Anissa Pinedo hit back-to-back doubles to open the inning, pulling within 3-2. Holly Luciano came in to run for Pinedo and after advancing to third she came home on a sacrifice fly from Ryder to tie it up at 3-3.

Neither team was able to score in the sixth or seventh as the game went to extra innings, the second straight extra inning game for UB. The Huskies hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the eighth to go up 6-3 and the Bulls were able to get just one run home in the bottom half of the inning.

Speckman picked up the loss despite striking out seven and not walking a single batter. Gallardo went 3-for-4 from the plate while freshman Ryleigh Fitzgerald also had a multi hit game.

In the second game, the Huskies had a four-run inning in the second to take the early lead and chase Ryder, who started for Buffalo. The Bulls were only able to record two hits in the game as NIU tacked on single runs in the third and fifth. The Huskies looked to be in business in the sixth inning, putting runners on first and second with no outs, but Gallardo robbed the Huskies by diving to grab a line drive at second and than doubling up the NIU runner.

Ryder picked up the loss in the second game while Pinedo and Ryder picked up the two hits. Freshman Nicole Aviles gave the Bulls three innings of scoreless relief.

The Bulls will play their final home game of the season on Tuesday against Canisius. First pitch is at 4:00 pm.