Bulls Conclude Second Day of Competition at ASU

Marcy Hansen ends day 4-for-6 from the plate
TEMPE, AZ - The University at Buffalo softball team kicked off its second day of competition at the Arizona State University softball tournament on Saturday, playing games against the Big South’s Radford and Mid-American Conference foe Miami (OH).

The Bulls suffered losses in both games, falling 12-2 to Radford and 6-1 to the RedHawks.

Marcy Hansen

In the day’s first contest, Buffalo faced a hot-hitting Radford squad, as the Highlanders put seven on the board in the top of the first and five more in the second. After holding RU scoreless in the third, Buffalo mounted pressure on the Highlanders in the bottom of the third. Kristen Gallipani (Brewster, NY/Brewster) led things off with a walk. After stealing second base, Gallipani advanced to third on an RBI single to left field by Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) and eventually scored thanks to a Radford error.

Buffalo added another run in the bottom of the fifth, as Hansen inked her second hit of the game with a single through the left side. Wendy Sheehan (Orange, CA/El Modena/Bowling Green) then reached base thanks to a RU error, with Hansen ultimately scoring on a Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy) RBI single.

Despite holding Radford scoreless through the next three innings, the Highlanders emerged with the 12-2 win over the Bulls.

Mary Russell

Hansen and Russell each finished the game 2-for-3 from the plate with one RBI each Katie Ivancich (Dyer, IN/Andrean) took the loss on the mound for UB, credited with six earned runs. Stephanie Visperas (Newark, CA/Newark Memorial) pitched five innings in relief, finishing with four strikeouts while allowing three hits.

In the day’s second game, the RedHawks scored a quick run in the top of the first but the Bulls battled back, tabbing one run in the top of the third. Alex Bejarano (Chandler, AZ/Chandler) got things going, sparking a two out rally with a long double to left field. UB then tied the game on a Hansen laser through the left side to score Bejarano.

Sharon Barr

Miami then scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth and three more in the sixth to take the 6-1 victory.

Sharon Barr (Coarsegold, CA/Yosemite Union) pitched the complete game for the Bulls, striking out two. Hansen finished 2-for-3 with a walk and one RBI while Bejarano ended the game 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia) also finished 1-for-3 with a hit and a walk.

Buffalo returns to action on Sunday, with the Bulls set to face Illinois State at 11:00 am.

02/23/2008