Bulls Split as Marshall Round Robin Concludes

Bulls fall to Delaware but rebound to defeat Marshall

HUNTINGTON, WV- The University at Buffalo softball team completed the second and final day of the Marshall Round Robin in Huntington, WV, taking on Delaware in the morning and finishing the day against host school Marshall on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls rebounded after yesterday's losses to split today's games, losing to Delaware, 4-3, but defeating Marshall 5-2.

Terese Diaz

The Bulls had an impressive showing against Delaware, which included nine hits and three RBIs. The Blue Hens opened the scoring with a home run in the bottom of the second inning, but the Bulls came back in the top of the third, scoring a run of their own. Kristen Gallipani singled to short stop and then stole second and third, setting her up to score off Alexandra Bejarano ground out to second base.

In the top of the fourth inning Buffalo took the lead as Kristin Waldron got on base off a Delaware error and scored on Sharon Barr's double to centerfield. Barr advanced to third base off a sacrifice fly out from Dana Carter and was able to score when Jamie Sheffler singled to shortstop to give Buffalo the two-run lead. Delaware came right back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to keep the game tied at three. It came down to the last inning with Delaware earning the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Barr pitched the complete game for Buffalo, holding the Blue Hens to seven hits and striking out five batters.

Kristin Waldron

In the second game of the day, the Bulls took on Marshall for the second time in as many days, this time defeating the Thundering Herd, 5-2. Neither team scored in the first three innings, but it was Marshall who struck first, earning its first run in the bottom of the fourth inning to go up by one. Buffalo responded in a big way, earning all five of their runs in the top of the fifth inning. With singles from Carter, Terese Diaz and Sheffler, the Bulls filled the bases early. Jen Mongiovi pinch ran for Diaz, and was able to score on a Marshall error. Carter also score an unearned run off a Marshall error. Zilka singled to right field, earning the RBI as Sheffler scored. Waldron doubled for the Bulls, sending two more runners home, putting the Bulls up by four. Marshall would go on to score one more run in the bottom of the sixth, but it was not enough as Buffalo got their first win of the weekend.

Diaz was credited with the victory with two earned runs and Barr, who relieved Diaz in the sixth, picked up her first save of the year. Diaz held the Herd to seven hits, striking out six batters, while Barr only allowed one hit and no runs in two innings pitched.

Buffalo will take a spring break trip to Kissimmee, FL next week to take part in the Rebel Spring Games. The tournament starts on Tuesday, March 10 and continues through Saturday, March 14. The Bulls' first game will be Tuesday, March 10 at 11 am against Bucknell.