University at Buffalo
14-14
Canisius
7-16
Bulls Split Marathon Doubleheader At Canisius
4/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY - In a doubleheader that lasted nearly five hours, the University at Buffalo softball team split its first games in Western New York, playing a pair at the Demske Sports Complex at Canisius. The Bulls dropped the opener, 8-7, in eight innings before winning the nightcap, 6-3. In each game, the team that trailed first came back to win. The Bulls are now 15-14 on the season.
Canisius 8, Buffalo 7 – 8 Innings
The Bulls couldn't have asked for a better start in the game as they scored three runs in the top of the first, capped off on a two-run home run from senior Heather Ryder. It began a solid offensive performance for the Bulls, who scored the first seven runs of the game.
The Bulls scored two runs in the second as senior Holly Luciano doubled down the left field line, driving in her second run of the game. A third run came in to score on an error by the Canisius left fielder.
UB scored single runs in back-to-back innings as doubles from Hayley Barrow and Jessica Taylor scored one in the third and a single from Ryder scored one in the fourth.
However, Canisius tied the game up with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game up and ultimately send it into extra innings. The Griffs rallied with two outs in the eighth to single home the winning run.
Five different players had multi-hit games in the opener as the Bulls finished with 12 hits. Luciano and Ryder were each credited with a pair of RBI's. Senior Tori Speckman picked up the loss despite striking out eight.
"The first game left a bad taste in my mouth and it was an extremely tough loss," said head coach Trena Peel. "We did a great job of coming out and jumping on them, but we have to learn how to finish the game. We can't give up seven runs in an inning.
Buffalo 6, Canisius 3
In game two, both pitchers got off to a strong start as neither pitcher allowed a run until the bottom of the third when Ryder, who started for the Bulls allowed three runs to give Canisius the early lead.
The Bulls didn't record a hit until the fourth inning when they tied the game back up with three runs of their own. Following a one-out walk, Taylor hit an RBI double to give the Bulls their first run of the game. Sophomore Ryleigh Fitzgerald followed that up with her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center.
With the game tied up at 3-3, the Bulls took the lead in the top of the fifth with two runs, despite not recording a hit. A wild pitch scored junior Karly Nevez from third, while Fitzgerald walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run.
UB added one more in the top of the sixth as junior Nora McGuire led the inning off with a single to right center. She followed it up with her first career stolen base and she moved to third on a groundout. McGuire came in to score on a triple to left center from Nevez.
The Griffs were unable to cut into the UB lead over the final two innings as Ryder pitched effectively, striking out three in seven innings. She improved to 3-1 on the season, allowing just five hits.
Fitzgerald finished with three RBI's in the game, as she was one of five players to record a hit in the game. Of the five hits in the game, four were for extra bases.
"I'm proud of my girls for answering back in game two," said Peel. "Heather did her job on the mound and it was great to see her go the distance. With Sammi, Alexis and Tori Pettine out tonight due to injuries, we did a great job of plugging the holes. Ashton was great behind the plate, Kenzie was solid at second, and Nora played a solid first base for us. You have to have a good bench to make it through a 56-game season."
The Bulls will now make their second attempt at beginning Mid-American Conference play this weekend as they head to Akron on Friday. First pitch of the doubleheader begins at 1:00pm.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Consaul, Jen (6-9)
L: Speckman, Tori (10-8)
Batting:
2B: Luciano, Holly 2 ; Taylor, Jessica 1 ; Barrow, Hayley 1
HR: Ryder, Heather 1
RBI: Luciano, Holly 2 ; Ryder, Heather 2 ; Barrow, Hayley 1
SH: Earnhardt, Ashton 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Curtiss, Alexis 1 ; Nevez, Karly 3 ; Luciano, Holly 1 ; Ryder, Heather 1 ; Taylor, Jessica 1
SB: Nevez, Karly 1 ; Taylor, Jessica 1 ; Barrow, Hayley 1
Batting:
2B: Berzins, Jessica 2 ; Kennery, Robin 1 ; Nappo, Valorie 1
HR: Cuda, Meghan 1
RBI: Roman, Alexis 1 ; Silfer, Lindsey 2 ; Nappo, Valorie 2 ; Cuda, Meghan 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Berzins, Jessica 1 ; Roman, Alexis 1 ; Silfer, Lindsey 1 ; DelPrince, Michelle 1 ; Nappo, Valorie 1 ; Afandor, Erica 1 ; Nappo, Tori 1 ; Cuda, Meghan 1
SB: Roman, Alexis 1
