Offense Breaks Out In 8-7 Win At Eastern Michigan

Saturday, April 6

Ypsilanti, MI

2 pm

University at Buffalo

7-22, 2-5

Eastern Michigan

10-18-1, 1-4

Buffalo

Eastern Michigan

Offense Breaks Out In 8-7 Win At Eastern Michigan

4/6/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

YPSILANTI, MI - The University at Buffalo softball team pounded out 14 hits and drew eight walks as they picked up their first road conference victory of the season, 8-7, at Eastern Michigan. The victory was UB's seventh of the season and their second in Mid-American Conference play.

The Bulls started early as they recorded four hits in the first inning alone, but scored just one run after a few outs were recorded on the base paths. A single from freshman Anissa Pinedo scored Alyssa Ward though following an error in left field for Eastern Michigan. The Eagles went scoreless in the bottom of the first as the Bulls put up two more in the top of the second.

A sacrifice bunt from freshman Ryleigh Fitzgerald put two runners in scoring position as freshman Kenzie Koch would come in to score on a passed ball. Another defensive miscue scored another run for the Bulls as EMU was called for a catcher's interference, scoring sophomore Karly Nevez. The Eagles tied the game up with single runs in the bottom of the second and the fourth, but the Bulls responded with two runs in the top of the sixth.

Junior Sammi Gallardo led off the inning with her team-leading fifth home run of the season to put UB up, 3-2. The Bulls then loaded the bases, keeping the inning going after an early EMU error. Senior Jessica Griffin worked out a walk, scoring Alexis Curtiss from third base.

The Eagles went on to take their first lead of the game, scoring four runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning to go up 6-5, but the UB offense came back out in the top of the seventh and put up three runs to regain the lead. The Bulls had runners on first and second with one out in the inning when an error by the Eastern Michigan catcher scored the tying run. UB had the bases loaded with two outs as junior Tori Pettine doubled to left field, scoring two runs and giving UB an 8-6 lead.

Freshman Nicole Aviles, who picked up her fourth win of the season, struggled in the seventh as she allowed a lead-off home run, pulling the Eagles back within one. Following a ground out and a walk, the Bulls turned to junior Tori Speckman, who after walking the first batter, got the second out of the inning. She then hit the next batter, but picked up the final out on a strike out, recording her third save of the year, which ties a school record.

"I am proud of the way we came back today after a tough day yesterday," said head coach Jen Teague. "We fought together as a team and that is what we need as we proceed through the conference schedule. We got some timely hits today, especially the one from TP in the seventh."

Gallardo, Nevez and Pettine all had three-hit games, while Ward also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Gallardo has hit in eight straight games and reached base in 11 straight.

Buffalo goes for the series sweep tomorrow as they face EMU at 1:00 pm.