Bulls Shutout Toledo, 2-0

Saturday, April 19

2 pm

21-19, 5-4

Toledo

14-31, 5-10

Toledo

Buffalo

4/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY - Senior Tori Speckman pitched a four-hit shutout on Saturday afternoon as the University at Buffalo softball team defeated Toledo, 2-0, at Nan Harvey Field. The victory improves the Bulls to 21-19 and 5-4 in Mid-American Conference play.

Both pitchers were sharp as Toledo's Emily Anderson retired six of the first seven batters all via strikeout. However, the one batter she didn't retire was junior Hayley Barrow, who launched a home run to left field, her fourth of the season.

Speckman pitched out of some trouble in the third inning as Toledo put runners on the corners and again in the fourth inning as the Rockets had a two-out base runner. UB loaded the bases with one-out in the bottom of the fourth, but could not plate a run.

The Bulls added a run though in the bottom of the fifth as they had two in scoring position following a passed ball. Senior Holly Luciano hit a high fly ball, which tailed towards the left field foul line and was caught by the Toledo left fielder. But on the play, senior Sammi Gallardo tagged up at third to score the important insurance run.

Toledo put runners on base in both the sixth and seventh innings, but neither got past third base.

"We played well today and we were solid in the field, which is what we needed," said head coach Trena Peel. "Hayley did a nice job of breaking the ice today, which was great because she struggled a little at the plate yesterday. She gave the team confidence at the plate and we started putting the ball in play."

Speckman improved to 14-10 on the season, tying the single-season school record for wins. She allowed just four hits, while walking just one, and striking out three batters. The Bulls finished with three hits, including one from Gallardo, who has hit in five straight games. Barrow's home run was her third straight game with a hit, while freshman Jessica Taylor picked up the other hit. The Bulls have now hit 16 home runs in nine home games and have had at least one long ball in eight of the nine games.

UB will host Toledo again tomorrow afternoon in its final home game of the season. Prior to the contest, UB will honor its five seniors: Heather Ryder, Tori Pettine, Holly Luciano, Sammi Gallardo and Tori Speckman.