Bulls Sweep Doubleheader At Niagara

Tuesday, May 3

Niagara Falls, NY

3 pm

University at Buffalo

16-34

Niagara

10-33

Buffalo

Niagara University

5/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LEWISTON, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team got solid pitching and timely hitting as the Bulls swept a doubleheader at Niagara on Tuesday afternoon. UB won the first game 6-2 and took the second game 5-3. The two victories give the Bulls 17 on the year.

"I am very happy with both wins," said head coach Trena Peel. "We came out and stuck together for 14 innings on the road at an in-state rival school and that says a lot about this group. We are moving in the right direction at the right time. It was awesome to see Ally Power finally get the success in a game that she's been working so hard for. I'm proud of her for putting it all together and putting us in a position to win. Brieanna also did a good job for the first six innings of game one in the circle."

The Bulls got out to a quick start in the opener as freshman Katie Weimer hit a solo home run, her 12^th of the season to put the Bulls on the board. Fellow freshman Courtney Gilbert then added to the UB lead as she also went deep, hitting a two-run shot in the second inning for her second home run of the year.

Buffalo added to its lead in the third inning as freshman Catrell Robertson hit a two-out double down the left field line and she came in to score on a single by sophomore Sarah Edwards, who reached base four times in the opener. The Purple Eagles got one back in the bottom of the fourth, but UB scored one in the top of the sixth on a run-scoring single from Danielle Lallos and another run on a double by Edwards in the top of the seventh.

The Bulls took a 6-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh when Niagara led off with a home run and put its first two runners on before freshman Ally Power came on in relief of classmate Brieanna Baker. Power then retired three straight to secure the victory for the Bulls.

Baker picked up the win as she went 6.0 innings and scattered four hits and two runs, while striking out two, while Power struck out one in relief. Edwards went 2-for-2 from the plate with a pair of walks, while Weimer went 2-of-4 from the dish.

Power started the nightcap for the Bulls and she picked up that elusive first collegiate victory in the complete game performance. The Bulls got on the board first in the top of the second as they took advantage of some Niagara defensive miscues.

Edwards led the inning off with a triple to left field and then she came in to score on a fielding error by the Niagara shortstop. Lallos, who reached on the error, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and then stole third and came in to score on a throwing error on the catcher trying to throw Lallos out.

Niagara scored one in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bulls responded with a run in the fifth. Gilbert hit a one-out triple and following a two-out walk to Weimer UB had runners on the corners. Weimer took off for second and another throwing error by the Niagara catcher sailed into center field, scoring Gilbert from third.

The Purple Eagles tied the game up in the bottom of the sixth inning with a pair of runs, but the Bulls answered in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Leandra Jew led the inning off with a double and following an error on a sacrifice bunt, UB put runners on the corners. Gilbert stole second to put two in scoring position and following a one-out walk to Weimer, the bases were loaded. With two away, Robertson dumped a single into right center, plating two and giving the Bulls a 5-3 lead.

Niagara hit a one-out double in the seventh, but Power worked out of the jam to pick up her first win. She went all 7.0 innings and allowed three runs, just two of those earned. She struck out seven in the win, her second highest total of the season.

Edwards went 2-for-4 in the game as she ended up reaching bases in her first six plate appearances in the doubleheader.

The Bulls will close out the regular season this weekend when they open a three-game series against Miami (OH) at Nan Harvey Field. The series begins on Friday afternoon with a single game beginning at 3:00 pm.