Friday, February 9
San Antonio, Texas
1:15 p.m. ET
vs
Prairie View A&M
Photo by: Ken Smith/UBBulls.com
Bulls Head Down to Texas for the Cardinal Classic Hosted by Incarnate Word
2/8/2024 5:54:00 PM | Softball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo softball team will begin their 2024 campaign on Friday morning afternoon against Prairie View A&M at 1:15 p.m. ET. The tournament will be hosted by Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. The Bulls will then face the host school at 5:45 p.m. ET.
The Bulls' schedule this weekend will be as followed:
Check out the schedule page for live stats and ESPN+ coverage.
Head Coach Mike Ruechel enters his sixth season as the head coach at Buffalo in 2024. Last season, the Bulls finished with an overall record of 14-36 and 8-18 in MAC play. In 2023, Alexis Lucyshyn rewrote the record book. She finished fourth in program history in single season strikeouts (159), fifth in games pitched in a career (86), fourth most games started in a career (68), fifth most wins (24), and fifth most shutouts (4). As a team, they totaled 30 home runs, good for fifth most in a single season. Their 132 walks were the fourth most in a single season with their pitchers striking out 274 batters, the fourth most in a single season. Lucyshyn was named to the All-MAC Second Team list as five Bulls earned Academic All-MAC honors.
The Bulls bring five new faces to the roster, as there are six senior Bulls. Madison Fernimen, Alexis Lucyshyn, Sara Kelly, Julia Tarantino, Tianna Williams and Carina Catalano will bring the veteran experience for the young squad.
Last Thursday morning, the Mid-American Conference announced this season's pre-season coaches' poll. The Bulls were selected tied for ninth with Western Michigan with a total of 25 points. Miami (OH) was the preseason favorite as they received 95 points and six first place votes.
2024 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Miami (6) – 95 points
2. Ohio (3) – 91 points
3. Central Michigan (1) – 84 points
4. Ball State – 69 points
5. Akron (1) – 64 points
6. Northern Illinois – 53 points
7. Toledo – 48 points
8. Kent State – 39 points
T9. BUFFALO – 25 points
T9. Western Michigan – 25 points
11. Bowling Green – 12 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (3), Central Michigan (2), Akron (1)
The Bulls' schedule this weekend will be as followed:
- Friday, Feb. 9 at 1:15 p.m. ET vs. Prairie View A&M
- Friday, Feb. 9 at 5:45 p.m. ET vs. Incarnate Word – ESPN+
- Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. ET vs. Prairie View A&M
- Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET vs. Incarnate Word – ESPN+
- Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. ET vs. Lindenwood
Check out the schedule page for live stats and ESPN+ coverage.
Head Coach Mike Ruechel enters his sixth season as the head coach at Buffalo in 2024. Last season, the Bulls finished with an overall record of 14-36 and 8-18 in MAC play. In 2023, Alexis Lucyshyn rewrote the record book. She finished fourth in program history in single season strikeouts (159), fifth in games pitched in a career (86), fourth most games started in a career (68), fifth most wins (24), and fifth most shutouts (4). As a team, they totaled 30 home runs, good for fifth most in a single season. Their 132 walks were the fourth most in a single season with their pitchers striking out 274 batters, the fourth most in a single season. Lucyshyn was named to the All-MAC Second Team list as five Bulls earned Academic All-MAC honors.
The Bulls bring five new faces to the roster, as there are six senior Bulls. Madison Fernimen, Alexis Lucyshyn, Sara Kelly, Julia Tarantino, Tianna Williams and Carina Catalano will bring the veteran experience for the young squad.
Last Thursday morning, the Mid-American Conference announced this season's pre-season coaches' poll. The Bulls were selected tied for ninth with Western Michigan with a total of 25 points. Miami (OH) was the preseason favorite as they received 95 points and six first place votes.
2024 MAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Miami (6) – 95 points
2. Ohio (3) – 91 points
3. Central Michigan (1) – 84 points
4. Ball State – 69 points
5. Akron (1) – 64 points
6. Northern Illinois – 53 points
7. Toledo – 48 points
8. Kent State – 39 points
T9. BUFFALO – 25 points
T9. Western Michigan – 25 points
11. Bowling Green – 12 points
MAC Tournament Champion: Miami (5), Ohio (3), Central Michigan (2), Akron (1)
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
IF/UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ SoftballUB Softball vs. Akron Double Header (4/30) @ 1pm
Thursday, April 24
UB Softball vs. Canisius Double Header (4/23) @ 1pm
Tuesday, April 22
UB Softball vs. Toledo (4/20) @ 12pm
Monday, April 14
UB Softball vs. Northern Illinois doubleheader (4/12) @ 1pm
Thursday, April 10
