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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team began its season in Huntsville, TX, participating in the four-team McKenzie's Valentine's Classic on February 9 and 10, hosted by Sam Houston State University. The Bulls posted a 2-4 record in the tournament, including a pair of one-run losses to the host school. Freshman Breanne Nasti (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) led Buffalo with five doubles, three homeruns and 11 runs batted in during the weekend. She hit .650 for the tournament (13-for-20).

In their first game of the tournament, the Bulls' comeback attempt fell short in a 2-1 loss to host Sam Houston State. The Bearkats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring on a passed ball, and they then took a 2-0 lead with a two-hit third inning. In the top of the fifth, Buffalo sophomore Kelly Malone (Waterford, MI/Waterford Kettering) singled to drive in sophomore Laura Gilcrist (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North), but that would be the only run the Bulls would get.

The Bulls were shut out in their second game of the tournament, 6-0 at the hands of the Illinois Fighting Illini. Freshmen Marce Ross (Barrie, Ontario/St. Peter's) and Allison Round (Markham, Ontario/Markham District) each singled in the loss.

Buffalo then crushed Texas Southern by a 12-1 score after jumping out to an early lead with a six-run first inning. Nasti had two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI while going 4-for-4 from the plate. Round was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI, and Malone and sophomores Lisa Cox (Getzville, NY/Williamsville North) and Jessica Kensy (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) each drove in one run apiece. Sophomore Andrea Sage (Depew, NY/Sage) picked up her first win on the mound, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out four batters.

On day two of the tournament, the Bulls allowed five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning after coming back to tie the score at 2-2 in a 7-2 loss to Illinois. Nasti, Malone and Round finished with two hits apiece in the loss. Both of Buffalo's runs came in the fourth inning as Nasti led off with a home run, followed by a double by Malone and a double by Round to drive in Malone.

Buffalo then lost a 9-8 decision to Sam Houston State in a game that lasted over four hours. The Bulls pounded 16 hits, including four apiece from Nasti and senior Danielle Haynes (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West). With Sam Houston State leading 9-7 in the top of the seventh inning, Haynes singled to drive in junior Kim Sudakow (Utica, NY/Proctor), but the Bulls left the bases loaded to end the game.

In their final game of the tournament, Buffalo scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to earn a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over Texas Southern. Nasti led the Bulls with a 3-for-4 performance from the plate, including two doubles, and Round drove in two runs. Freshman Heather Robbins (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) came on in relief and earned her first career win on the mound.

The Bulls (2-4) are now off for three weeks until they travel to the Southeast Missouri State Invitational in Cape Girardeau, MO from Friday, March 2 to Sunday, March 4.