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HONOLULU, HI - The University at Buffalo softball team concluded play in the Malihini Tournament with a 2-0 loss to the host Rainbow Wahine of the University of Hawaii on Sunday night. Buffalo ended the tournament with a 3-3 mark to put its overall record at 6-5 this season.

Jessica Kensy

The Bulls received the tournament's second-place trophy, winning the four-way tie for second by virtue of allowing the fewest runs in the tournament. Senior Jessica Kensy (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) and sophomore Jackie O'Brien (Selkirk, NY/Bethlehem Central) were named to the All-Tournament team.

The Rainbow Wahine struck first in the tournament's finale, getting one run in the top of the third inning when Marie Jackson led off with a double to deep center and then scored on a line-drive single to right by Tracie Uchima. Hawaii got an insurance run in the sixth when pinch runner Ashley Ruff advanced to third on a single to right center by Denise Dahlberg and then came home to score on a double steal. Sophomore Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) pitched the complete game on the mound for the Bulls, allowing eight hits and striking out two. Hawaii's Melissa Coogan, the tournament's Most Outstanding Pitcher, allowed five hits and struck out five. The Rainbow Wahine went an undefeated 5-0 in the four-day tournament.

The Bulls will now travel to San Jose, CA on Wednesday to play in the San Jose State Invitational on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. The Bulls will play the host Spartans and Southern Utah each twice in the three-team tournament. Buffalo then opens Mid-American Conference play with a three-game series at Marshall on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23.