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Four-Run First Inning Leads Bulls Past Rockets

Mary Russell

UB got off to a quick start in the game, scoring four runs in the first inning. Junior Mary Russell (Apalachin, Ny/Owego Free Academy) began a 3-for-4 day with a single to left field. She was then bunted over to second base and eventually stole third. After two hit batters, the Bulls had the bases load for sophomore Laura Kor (Beaverton, OR/Westview). Kor singled to left field, opening the scoring for the afternoon. Junior Colleen Greene (Cheektowaga, NY/Cleveland Hill) then recorded her second RBI of the season, scoring a run as she grounded out.

Kim Hanzlian

The big blow in the inning came off the bat of freshman catcher Kim Hanzlian (Cheektowaga, NY/John F. Kennedy), who scored two runs with her single to center field. The two RBIs were the first two of her UB career.

Buffalo added to its lead in the fourth inning as sophomore Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) drove in two runs with a double to right center. That hit knocked out Toledo starter, Stephanie Moore, after going 3.2 innings, allowing eight hits and six runs.

However, Toledo did not go down quietly. The Rockets put up three runs in the top of the fifth inning to pull within three.

UB wasn't going to let its lead slip away and as an insurance policy, scored one more in the bottom of the sixth inning on a home run to center field by Russell, her first long-ball of the year. Toledo hit a round-tripper in its half of the seventh inning, but UB hurler Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) closed the door on the Rockets, earning her eighth win of the year. Barstad went the distance, allowing 13 hits, four runs and striking out two.

The seven runs scored by Buffalo, are the most since it scored seven in a 7-4 win over Fordham on March 17.

Marcy Hansen

In addition to Russell's performance from the plate, Hansen, Hanzlian and Kor all went 2-for-3, and all but two starters recorded at least one hit.

The Bulls remain home as they host Central Michigan for a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 1:00 pm. UB then welcomes in Eastern Michigan for a two-game set this weekend.