Bulls Drop Doubleheader at Ball State

Jaime Sheffler hits solo homerun

MUNCIE, IN-University at Buffalo softball team played their first series of the weekend in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader against Ball State this afternoon. The Bulls lost the first game, 4-2, and dropped the second game 5-2. Jaime Sheffler hit a solo home run to highlight game one, earning two RBIs on the day.

Jamie Sheffler

In the first game, Ball State opened the scoring with a run in each of the first two innings to give the Cardinals an early lead. Buffalo put up a good defensive front in the bottom of the second as the Cardinals loaded the bases twice, but were held to just one run. In the top of third, Sheffler hit a solo homerun to put the Bulls within one run. Both teams were scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, but the Bulls earned the tying run in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Bejarano doubled to the left center fence to start the inning off for UB. Erin Zilka walked, advancing Bejarano to second, setting up Kristin Waldron for an RBI double up the center to drive Bejarano home for the tying run. Ball State responded, scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth to give the Cardinals their first win of the day.

Terese Diaz pitched the complete game for Buffalo, striking out five batters.

In game two, Ball State jumped out to the early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning. Diaz started game two on the mound for Buffalo, but was relieved by Sharon Barr. Barr struck out two batters in 5.1 innings pitched. The second and third innings were scoreless for both teams. Buffalo saw their first score in the fourth inning, as Waldron singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Diaz singled to left field, earning the RBI as Waldron scored Buffalo’s first run.

Sharon Barr

Barr came up big on the mound in the fourth and fifth innings, as Ball State loaded the bases but was unable to score as Barr struck out the key batters at the plate to keep the game close. UB had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the fifth, as Barr, Sheffler and Kristen Gallipani all had hits, but the Bulls could not produce a run. Ball State took advantage of Buffalo’s mistakes in the bottom of the sixth inning to score three runs. Despite an RBI double from Sheffler in the top of the seventh inning, Buffalo could not come up with the win as Ball State went on to get their second victory of the day.

Buffalo will continue their weekend road trip with a pair of games against Miami on Saturday and Sunday. The first game is scheduled for tomorrow at 2pm in Oxford, Ohio.