Softball Opens 2022 Season at Panther International

Friday, February 18

Miami, FL

10:00AM

University at Buffalo

Cleveland State

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Softball Opens 2022 Season at Panther International

2/17/2022 1:28:00 PM | Softball

Live Stats

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team opens their 2022 campaign at the Panther Invitational, hosted by Florida International, this weekend. UB will take part in five games this weekend in Miami, Florida.

The Bulls will begin the season at 10am on Friday against Cleveland State before taking on the hosts Florida International at 3pm. On Saturday, the Bulls will take on Penn State at 10am and then will face a to-be-determined opponent later in the day. They will then wrap up play with a single game on Sunday.

"Our players and staff are very excited to get the season started," said head coach Mike Ruechel. "This team has a lot of potential as we have a talented group of returners who we expect to put up good numbers and perform well in all areas of the game. Our non-conference schedule will be a great test to get us ready for MAC play and help us build upon the success we had in conference play last season."

The Bulls compiled an 18-35 overall record in 2022. Buffalo returns 15 players from last season, led by First Team All-MAC and NCFA All-Mideast Region First Team selection Anna Aguon and as well as fellow First Team All-MAC selection Alexis Lucyshyn and second-team member Alexis Matheney.

UB returns four of its top five hitters from a squad that set several offensive records a year ago. Aguon led the Bulls with a .392 batting average to go along with a team-best 60 hits, 14 home runs, 12 doubles, 36 RBI and 42 runs scored, while leading the team with a .758 slugging percentage and a .497 on base percentage. Matheney posted a .311 batting average to go with 36 hits, 11 home runs, seven doubles, 36 RBI and 34 runs scored while recording a .595 slugging percentage and a .428 on base percentage. Lucyshyn batted .245 in her sophomore season with 37 hits, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 20 runs scored. Also returning for the Bulls is sophomore Rachel Steffan who posted a .308 batting average with 41 hits, seven home runs, five doubles, 28 RBI and 30 runs scored while also compiling a .519 slugging and .481 on base percentage.

With a young pitching staff, the Bulls will look to a pair of veterans as well as some new faces to carry the load for UB. Lucyshyn was a mainstay in the starting rotation last season as she compiled a 6-10 overall record in 27 appearances with a 5.81 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched while also recording a .976 fielding percentage at first base. Sophomore Julia Tarantino made 23 appearances for the Bulls last season, mainly in a reliever role, recording a 6.18 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 48.2 innings of work. Mykaela Martin also returns after making four appearances in the circle as a sophomore.

Freshmen Marissa Calloway, Alyssa Wasielewski and junior transfers Kate Vara and Celyna Shaw will also be looking for their first collegiate action this weekend.

For the latest updates and behind the scenes look at the Buffalo softball program, make sure to follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @UBBullssoftball.