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BOWLING GREEN, KY - The University at Buffalo softball team concluded the Western Kentucky Invitational this morning with a 6-1 loss to Austin Peay in the first game of championship bracket play. The Bulls were the fifth seed in the tournament and the Lady Govs were the fourth seed. Austin Peay (5-12) advanced to face No. 1 WKU in the semifinal round.

Laura Kor

Freshman Laura Kor (Beaverton, OR/Westview) hit a two-out solo home run in the top of the second inning to get the Bulls on the board first, but that was one of only two hits they would have in the game. Austin Peay led off the bottom of the second with back-to-back singles and a double to right by Brittanie Oleman drove in both runners to give the Lady Govs the lead for good. Brianna Venable hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the third, and Jennifer Simpkins had an RBI-single in the bottom of the fourth to put Austin Peay up 5-1. Stephanie Eggers then concluded the scoring with a two-out solo home run to center in the bottom of the sixth.

Sophomore Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy) hit an infield single in the sixth inning for the Bulls' only other hit in the game. Austin Peay pitcher Natasha Anderson struck out 10 in the complete-game victory. Buffalo starter Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) allowed six hits and four runs in three innings before being relieved by Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad). Evans allowed four hits and two runs in the final three innings of the game.

The Bulls (2-8) will compete at the Speedline Classic next, hosted by the University of South Florida. Buffalo is scheduled to face Massachusetts at 4 pm and Brigham Young at 6 pm on Thursday, March 10 and Illinois-Chicago at 4 pm and Jacksonville at 6 pm on Friday, March 11. The tournament will continue through Sunday with games to be announced based on seedings.