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Softball Scores Win In MAC Opener At Ohio

Kristen Gallipani

Kristen Gallipani (Brewster, NY/Brewster) provided powerful offense for Buffalo, roping a three-run homer in the fourth inning of the second game to aid in securing Buffalo’s first Conference win of the season. Katie Ivancich (Dyer, IN/Andrean) was solid on the mound for the Bulls, throwing the complete game to garner her second win of the season.

Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) finished the day with three hits, while Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego), Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia), Alex Bejarano (Chandler, AZ/Chandler) and Sharon Barr (Coarsegold, CA/Yosemite Union) recorded two hits each.

In the day’s opener, the Bulls posted a four-run sixth inning to rally back after trailing 5-1 for most of the contest. Ohio, however, was able to break the 5-5 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to steal the victory.

Marcy Hansen

UB got on the board in the top of the first, as Zilka reached first on an error and Hansen then advanced Zilka to second with a single to left field. Russell then reached on a fielder’s choice, with Zilka out at third on the play and after Russell and Hansen successfully completed a double steal, Hansen plated the game’s first run, scoring on a past ball.

Ohio got off to a hot start, however, as the Bobcats notched four runs in the bottom stanza of the first and another in the second to carry a 5-1 lead through five.

In the top of the sixth, however, Buffalo got the offensive ball rolling. Russell led-off the inning with a single, but was caught stealing on the next play. With one out, Wendy Sheehan (Orange, CA/El Modena/Bowling Green) reached on an error and was replaced on the bases by pinch-runner Lindsey Hampton (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton). Pitcher Barr then helped her own cause, hitting a single and advancing Hampton to third.

Katie Ivancich

Next, Dana Carter (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) displayed some timely hitting, picking up an RBI with a single down the left field line, scoring Hampton and advancing Barr to second. Bejarano kept the one-out rally alive, as the freshman singled to score Barr. After the second out of the inning was recorded, Zilka doubled to score Carter and Bejarano, tying the game, 5-5.

After holding Ohio scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, the Bulls were unable to plate any runs in the top of the seventh. The Bobcats, however, scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on two hits with one out to take the 6-5 win.

Barr was credited with the loss for Buffalo, throwing 6.1 innings while surrendering four earned runs.

Alex Bejarano

In the nightcap, Buffalo got off to a quick start, inking three runs in the top of the first. With one down, Hansen singled to left field and was moved to second when Russell reached on an error. Then, with two outs, Barr singled to plate the game’s first run and Bejarano followed, roping a double to score both Russell and Barr, giving the Bulls a 3-0 advantage.

After two and a half scoreless innings, UB plated three more in the top of the fourth. Bejarano drew a walk and was moved to second on a Candice Sheehan (Orange, CA/El Modena) bunt. Gallipani then roped a three-run homerun to give Buffalo a 6-0 advantage.

The Bobcats, however, slowly made things interesting, sending three across home in the bottom of the fourth and another in the bottom of the fifth to set the score at 6-4 heading into the sixth.

Erin Zilka

Buffalo finished strong though, holding Ohio scoreless over the final two innings to secure the 6-4 victory.

Ivancich scored the win on the mound for Buffalo, throwing the complete game, five-hitter.

The Bulls will wrap-up the weekend with single games on Saturday and Sunday at Akron. Saturday’s game against the Zips is slated for 2:00 pm while Sunday’s game will begin at 1:00 pm.