SOFTBALL

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CLEARWATER, FL - The University at Buffalo softball team dropped an 8-4 decision to Illinois-Chicago before rebounding with a 3-2 win over Jacksonville on day two of the 25-team Speedline Classic, hosted by the University of South Florida.

Laura Kor

The Bulls opened the day with an 8-4 loss to UIC. The Flames put four runs across the plate in the bottom of the first, on a lead-off home run and a three-run homer, to take a commanding lead early on. Buffalo cut its deficit in half in the top of the third when freshman Laura Kor (Beaverton, OR/Westview) hit a triple to right and then scored on a passed ball and junior Lauren Picciano (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) doubled and then scored on a double by sophomore Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy). UIC, however scored once again in the bottom of the third and three more times in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach. The Bulls' final two runs in the game came in the fifth inning. Sophomore Colleen Greene (Cheektowaga, NY/Cleveland Hill) was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a double by Kor, and Picciano then reached base on an error, allowing Kor to score. Buffalo starter Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) suffered the loss after pitching the first five innings before being relieved by junior Theresa Gugger (Binghamton, NY/Susquehanna Valley/Oneonta State).

The Bulls pulled out a win against Jacksonville in their final game of the day to snap a six-game losing streak. Freshman Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) led off the game with a walk that was followed by a single to left by Russell. A single down the right field line by senior Julie Hibner (Salem, OR/South Salem) drove in Hansen, and Russell then scored on a squeeze bunt by junior Lisa Wheat (Olympia, WA/Tumwater) to give the Bulls an early 2-0 lead. The Dolphins tied the score in the bottom of the third on a double by Shannon Jensen that drove in Jamie Ross and Stephanie Farabee. Kor later hit a lead-off single in the top of the fifth and advanced to third on a JU throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Hansen. Russell then drove in Kor with what would prove to be the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly to center field. Senior Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) picked up her first win of the season on the mound, pitching the complete game and allowing just five hits and one earned run and striking out five. JU's Katie Dobson also went the distance, allowing four hits and two earned runs and striking out eight.

The Bulls (3-11) begin bracket play on Saturday afternoon against an opponent to be determined. Following remaining pool play games on Saturday morning, all 25 teams will be seeded in the championship bracket.