Bulls Split Opening Day Of Red & Blue Classic

Friday, February 21

1:30 pm

University at Buffalo

6-1

Saint Louis

4-2

Saint Louis

Buffalo

Bulls Split Opening Day Of Red & Blue Classic

2/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

OXFORD, MS – Pushing some unforeseen travel issues aside, the University at Buffalo softball team split its opening day at the Red and Blue Classic, falling 5-3 in the opener and then defeating Tennessee-Martin, 6-4, in extra innings. While the loss to the Billikens was UB's first of the season, the Bulls are now 7-1 on the season.

"After having to travel here 16 hours on a bus, I think we came out and competed today," said head coach Trena Peel. "We have to keep the ball in the park and give our defense a chance. We bounced back in game two and jumped on them early. We have quality at bats in the top of the eighth and were able to pull off the win. Overall, I am proud of their fight today."

Saint Louis 5, Buffalo 3

Saint Louis scored five runs over the final two innings to hand Buffalo its first loss of the season. The Bulls got a solid starting pitching performance from senior Heather Ryder as the Bulls built a 3-0 lead, scoring single runs in the third, fourth and fifth.

Senior Tori Pettine drove in a pair of runs beginning in the third when she singled through the right side, scoring sophomore Ryleigh Fitzgerald. In the fourth inning, senior Sammi Gallardo led off with a double to center field and was driven in by Ryder, who singled to right. In the fifth inning, Fitzgerald reached base after she was hit by a pitch. She stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error from the Saint Louis catcher. She then came in to score on an RBI ground out from Pettine.

Saint Louis scored one in the top of the sixth, but the Bulls continued to hold on to a 3-1 advantage into the seventh. Sophomore Nicole Aviles came on in relief and struggled with some command as the bases became loaded, two of those runners coming via the walk. With bases full of Saint Louis runners and just one out, Lindsay Friedman hit a grand slam home run giving the Billikens a 5-3 lead. UB put the lead-off runner on in the seventh, but couldn't do any further damage.

The Bulls managed eight hits in the game, including two off the bat of Ryder and Fitzgerald, who reached base three times.

Buffalo 6, UT-Martin 4 - 8 innings

UB jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second game, scoring a trio of runs in the top of the first inning. The Bulls put two on with one out in the opening inning as Ryder drove in a run with a single to center field. Senior Holly Luciano and freshman Ashton Earnhardt also both had runs batted in during the opening inning.

Senior Tori Speckman was in the circle for the Bulls, but Tennessee-Martin was able to creep back into the game, scoring two in third and one in the fifth to tie up the contest. The game moved into extra innings, the first such contest for UB this season.

Gallardo was placed at second to begin the eighth inning and Ryder walked to leadoff the frame. Sophomore Meghan McKeown came in as a pinch runner and both her Gallardo moved up on a sacrifice bunt form Luciano. Junior Hayley Barrow had the big hit in the extra innings, doubling in a pair of runs. Barrow came in to score on an RBI groundout from Devon Rodriguez.

Speckman picked up her fifth win of the season as she remains unbeaten in the circle. She pitched all 8.0 innings allowing five hits and four runs, but just two of those are earned. She struck out five for the game. The Bulls outhit the Skyhawks, 10-5, picking up multi-hit games from Curtiss, Luciano and Barrow.

The Bulls play two more tomorrow beginning with the host team, Ole Miss at 2:30 pm eastern time. UB will play a nightcap against Bowling Green at 9:15 pm eastern time as well.