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Softball Opens Season at Troy Cox Classic

Erin Zilka

After two scoreless innings against the Lions, the Bulls got on the board in the top of the third inning. With two outs, sophomore Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia) hit an RBI single to left field to score pinch runner Samantha Gaetano (Rochester, NY/Nazarath Academy). The Lions’ bats came alive in the bottom half of the inning, however, as the Loyola-Marymount offense produced five runs on five hits to take the lead. The Bulls were able to mount some late offensive pressure, as rookie right fielder Kristen Gallipani (Brewster, NY/Brewster) roped her first collegiate homer, a two run shot over the fence.

Catcher Lacy Schneider (Idyllwild, CA/Hemet) had an excellent season-opener at the plate, going 2-for-3 while junior Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) was 1-for-2 with a duo of walks.

Sophie Barstad

Senior Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) took the loss on the mound for the Bulls, throwing five complete innings, allowing six hits and five runs, while striking out five. Freshman

Sharon Barr (Coarsegold, CA/Yosemite Union) made her first appearance in Blue and White, throwing one inning in relief and giving up one hit.

In the second game, the Bulls squandered an early 2-0 lead against the Mavericks, as Barr went the distance on the mound, striking out two while allowing nine hits and a quartet of runs.

Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy) got the Bulls on the board in the bottom of the first after reaching on an error and eventually scoring on a Mavericks error after stealing third base. UB then extended its lead in the bottom of the second, as Barr displayed her offensive prowess, belting her first collegiate homer over the left field fence.

The Mavericks evened the game in the top of the third, but the Bulls were able to ink another run in the bottom of the fifth. Gaetano got the ball rolling, as the rookie tallied her first collegiate single and then stole second, ultimately scoring on a Colleen Greene (Cheektowaga, NY/Cleveland Hill) RBI-single to center field. The lead would not stand, though, as UT-Arlington scored its winning run in the top of the sixth on a two-hit inning.

Dana Carter

Sophomore Dana Carter (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) had a productive game offensively, going 2-for-3 with a double. In addition, the Bulls were overwhelmingly successful on the basepaths, finishing the season-opening day a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases, as both Gaetano and Hansen finished the day 2-for-2 and Russell ended 3-for-3.

The Bulls return to the diamond tomorrow with a single game against host-school, New Mexico State University. Game time is set for 7 pm EST.