SOFTBALL

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HONOLULU, HI - The University at Buffalo softball team again split two games on day three of the Malihini Tournament in Honolulu, HI, opening the day with a 3-0 extra-inning loss to Boston College before rebounding for a tight 4-3 win over Loyola Marymount. The split gives the Bulls a 6-4 record for the season and a 3-2 record in the tournament.

Stacey Evans

The Bulls struggled to put hits together against Boston College in their opening game of the day, and BC's Lisa Fisher broke a 0-0 tie with a three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to give the Eagles the victory. Sophomore pitcher Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) pitched a strong game on the mound, allowing just five hits and striking out six. Boston College's Tekae Malandris also allowed five hits and struck out 15 batters in eight innings.

Buffalo struck early against Loyola Marymount when senior Kelly Malone (Waterford, MI/Waterford Kettering) hit her second home run of the tournament, a two-run shot to right center with two outs in the first inning, scoring junior Breanne Nasti (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) who reached on a single up the middle. Sophomore Ann Magur (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) followed Malone's homer with a single and then scored on a single by senior Jessica Kensy (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) to give the Bulls an early 3-0 lead. Loyola Marymount got one run on the board in the bottom of the first when Brittany Bassett was hit by a pitch with bases loaded, and Bassett drove in another run in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly to center. Buffalo regained a two-run lead when sophomore Melissa Pace (Long Beach, CA/Millikan) singled in the top of the fourth and then scored on a double steal with junior Allison Round (Markham, Ontario/Markham District) who reached base on a walk. A solo home run to center by LMU's Lisa Abbott in the bottom of the fourth then cut Buffalo's lead to 4-3. The Lions threatened in the sixth when Abbott led off with a single through the left side and Casey Phillips followed with a walk, but Danielle Kaminaka hit a line drive to Melissa Pace who doubled Abbott off at second and Evans, who was called on in relief, got Bassett to fly out to right field with the bases loaded. Evans retired the side in the seventh inning, striking out Jessica Grassi to end the game and earn her second save of the tournament. Senior Andrea Sage (Depew, NY/Depew) started the game on the mound for the Bulls and allowed six hits and two runs through the first three innings. Junior Heather Robbins (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield) was credited with the win, her second of the year, after pitching 2.2 innings and allowing five hits and one run.

The Bulls conclude play at the Malihini Tournament on Sunday, March 9 against the host Rainbow Wahine at 11 pm Eastern time.