Bulls Split Opening Day In New Mexico

Friday, February 28

11 am

University at Buffalo

2-13

North Dakota St.

9-4

Buffalo

New Mexico

Bulls Split Opening Day In New Mexico

2/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ALBUQUERQUIE, NM – The University at Buffalo softball team split its two games on Friday in the first day of the Lobo Classic at the University of New Mexico. UB won the first game defeating North Dakota State, 3-2, but fell in the nightcap, 5-2 to the host Lobos. The Bulls are now 9-4.

Buffalo 3, North Dakota St. 2

The Bulls used some late inning magic in the opener of the Lobo Classic as they overcame a late deficit to come away with their ninth victory of the season. A solid pitching performance by both the Bulls and North Dakota State kept the game tied at zero through four innings. However, the Bison struck first as they scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to take the early lead. The Bulls cut the deficit in half in the bottom half of the inning as senior Holly Luciano hit a solo home run to left field for her 10^th run batted in of the season.

Buffalo scored two more times in the bottom half of the sixth to take its first lead of the game. Junior Karly Nevez led off the inning with an infield single and was moved to third on a double down the line from junior Hayley Barrow. With one out, senior Sammi Gallardo laid down a perfect bunt, scoring Nevez from third and moving Barrow on to third base. Freshman Kelly Mascari came on as a pinch hitter and hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring the go ahead run.

Senior Tori Speckman retired the Bison in order in the top of the seventh to pick up the complete game victory. Speckman improves to 6-2 on the season as she allowed four hits and two runs, while striking out four.

Nevez went 2-for-3 from the plate as she was the lone Buffalo player with a multi-hit game. Barrow and junior Alexis Curtiss both hit doubles, while Luciano's home run completed the extra base hits.

"We took advantage of some opportunities to score and hung in there for seven innings," said head coach Trena Peel.

New Mexico 5, Buffalo 2

Playing the host Lobos in their first home game of the season, the Bulls scored early, but New Mexico had a four-run fourth inning, which was the difference in the contest.

Starting off, the Bulls put two runs on the board in the top of the first. Nevez hit a one-out single and Barrow with hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Gallardo then doubled to left center, driving in both runs. However, they would be the only two runs of the game for UB.

New Mexico scored one in the second, but scored four runs in the fourth, all coming with two outs. Senior Heather Ryder allowed the five runs, four of them earned. Sophomore Nicole Aviles came in and pitched two hitless innings in relief.

Luciano picked up a pair of hits, contributing two of UB's four hits in the game.

"We had one bad inning tonight and it cost us in this game," said Peel.

The Bulls continue play tomorrow in New Mexico, as the Bulls will play Idaho State at Noon and the host Lobos again at 5:00 pm.