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Bulls Take On Big 12’s Kansas

Sharon Barr

The Bulls opened day one of the tournament with a doubleheader against the Jayhawks, falling to KU 9-0 in the first game and suffering a 12-5 setback to Kansas in the nightcap.

The Jayhawks got off to a quick start in game one, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first and adding two more in both the third and fourth innings. Kansas was able to take a 7-0 lead into the fifth, largely thanks to the hot bat of KU third baseman Val Chapple, who stroked three homers for six RBIs in the contest.

Erin Zilka

The Bulls, however, mounted a rally in the top of the fifth, sparked by a lead-off single from Sharon Barr (Coarsegold, CA/Yosemite Union). After a Buffalo out, Ashley Kanavy (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) advanced Barr with a single to left-center and following the second UB out of the inning, Kristen Gallipani (Brewster, NY/Brewster) drew a walk to load the bases. Unfortunately, the Bulls were unable to plate any runs in the inning.

The Jayhawks’ powerful offense continued through the bottom half of the inning, as KU roped another homerun to take the 9-0 victory over the Bulls.

Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia), Barr and Kanavy each finished the contest 1-for-2, all recording singles. Katie Ivancich (Dyer, IN/Andrean) took the loss on the mound for Buffalo, facing 24 batters, inking two strikeouts while walking just one.

Wendy Sheehan

In the day’s second game, Kansas tabbed Buffalo for eight runs on seven hits through the first two innings, but the Bulls rallied back in the bottom of the second inning.

Wendy Sheehan (Orange, CA/El Modena/Bowling Green) led things off with a double and Barr followed with a double of her own. Next, Stephanie Visperas (Newark, CA/Newark Memorial) hit a single to score pinch runner Jackie Burke (West Seneca, NY/Mt. Mercy) to get Buffalo on the scoreboard. With the corners studded, Visperas was able to draw a throw on her stolen base attempt, which enabled Barr to plate the second UB run of the inning.

Ashley Kanavy

After holding the Jayhawks scoreless in the top of the third, Buffalo was then able to load the bases, pushing two across on a Barr single to right center to enter the fourth inning with Kansas holding the slim 8-4 advantage over the Bulls.

The Jayhawks answered the Buffalo threat, as Kansas scored two in the top of the fifth, but strong Buffalo defense and solid pitching in relief by Barr stymied the KU offense, as the Bulls held the Jayhawks scoreless through the fifth and sixth.

KU added two more runs in the top of the seventh to extend its lead 12-4 but UB would not go down without a fight, as Buffalo applied offensive pressure on Kansas with Zilka grabbing the Bulls’ final RBI of the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Candice Sheehan

Buffalo recorded nine hits in the contest, with Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego), Candice Sheehan (Orange, CA/El Modena), Gallipani, Zilka, Wendy Sheehan and Visperas each finishing with one while Barr finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

The Bulls will return to the field on Saturday, as UB is set to play games against Louisiana Tech and Kansas. First pitch is slated for 12:00 pm.