Late Heroics Surge Bulls to Victory Over Chippewas as they Split Friday Doubleheader

Friday, April 17

Buffalo, N.Y.

1:30 p.m.

University at Buffalo

20-26, 7-12

Central Michigan

21-17, 12-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Central Mich.	3	0	2	1	0	10	16	19	0
Buffalo	0	0	3	4	0	0	7	8	1

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics

Late Heroics Surge Bulls to Victory Over Chippewas as they Split Friday Doubleheader

4/17/2026 8:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Zach Monell

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo softball team (21-26, 8-12 MAC) split their Friday doubleheader against the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas (21-18, 12-7 MAC). After falling in six innings in the first game, 16-7, the Bulls bounced back for a 10-8 win.

GAME 1
Central Michigan pounced to an early 3-0 lead after the first and added to it in the third inning. The Chippewas hit three home runs as they led 5-0. Buffalo responded in the bottom of the third as Reagan Terwilliger hit a 2-RBI triple followed by an RBI double by Nicole Allen to make it a 5-3 game.

In the top of the fourth, an RBI single pushed Central Michigan's lead to 6-3. In the bottom half of the inning, Bella Smithson led off with a solo shot to left center to make it 6-4, her 11^th home run of the season. Abbey Nagel then doubled to right field as Delaney Ellis singled to center. Ava Thelen loaded the bases on a bunt. After a pitching change, the Chippewas struck out back-to-back batters to bring Reagan Terwilliger to the dish. She tied the game with a 2-RBI single to center. Allen put the Bulls in front on a hit up the middle to score Thelen to go up 7-6.

After a scoreless fifth with the Bulls still winning, Central Michigan took the game into their own hands. They scored 10 runs on 10 hits and an error to go up 16-7. The Bulls had no response as they fell in six innings.

Terwilliger and Allen both recorded two hits, as the former finished with four RBIs.

GAME 2
The Chippewas got off to a similar start through their first two at bats as they led 5-0. After a lead-off walk by Bella Smithson, Bri Delaney hit a home run to deep center field to cut Central Michigan's lead to 5-2.

The Chippewas extended their lead to 6-2 after a ground out. Buffalo made it a three-run game as Nicole Allen singled through the right side to score Emily Gorman from second.

The fifth inning was a fireworks show as Central Michigan added a pair of runs to lead 8-3. The Bulls chipped away in the bottom half of the inning as Delaney forced in a run on a bases loaded walk. After a pitching change, Abbey Nagel fought off two-strikes as she ripped a game-tying grand slam to center field. This marked her second grand slam of the season and the Bulls' fourth this year.

GAME 2
E5 | Buffalo 8, Central Michigan 8

ABBEY NAGEL TIES THE GAME!

This marked the Bulls' fourth grand slam of the season!#UBhornsUP?? pic.twitter.com/wUke90QV3T
— Buffalo Softball (@UBBullssoftball) April 17, 2026

The Chippewas went down in order in the top of the sixth with the chance for the Bulls to take the lead. Gorman started the offense with a one-out single to center. Now with two outs, Gorman stole second base before Allen singled up the middle. With the runners on the corners, Allen stole second base to have a pair od runners in scoring position for Bella Smithson at the plate. Smithson smacked a double right down the left field line that scored both runners.

GAME 2
E6 | Buffalo 10, Central Michigan 8

Bella Smithson puts the Bulls in front!#UBhornsUP?? pic.twitter.com/UvplMsctNa
— Buffalo Softball (@UBBullssoftball) April 17, 2026

Olivia Russ shut down the Chippewas in the top of the seventh as the Bulls came away with the 10-8 win. Russ tossed 5.0 innings with two earned runs and a strikeout.

Allen, Gorman and Nagel had multi-hit performances. Nagel led the Bulls with four RBIs as Delaney had three. Gorman rounded the bases three times in the game.

The Bulls are back in action tomorrow as they'll wrap up their series against the Chippewas at noon from Nan Harvey Field.

For all the latest on UB Softball, follow @UBBullssoftball on Twitter/X, @ubbullssoftball on Instagram and like the UB Softball Facebook page.

Information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics can be found here.