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Softball Earns First MAC Win

Sharon Barr

In the nightcap, freshman pitcher Sharon Barr (Coarsegold, CA/Coarsegold) went the distance on the mound for Buffalo, throwing the complete game and holding the potent Ohio offense to just four runs, three of them earned. Junior shortstop Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) had a superb game offensively, going 2-for-3 from the plate with an RBI and two runs scored.

After allowing one Ohio run in the top of the second, the Bulls used a big second inning to key their offense, scoring five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Sophomore Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia) got the ball rolling, with a hard single up the middle and was able to advance when Barr was nailed by a pitch. Dana Carter (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) then put down a sacrifice bunt to advance Zilka and Barr. Jenna Beall-Schwab (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) followed, as the sophomore grabbed the first RBI of her career with a single to score Zilka.

Marcy Hansen

Then, with one out and the corners studded, freshman Jaime Sheffler (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango Central) doubled to send Barr home. After a Buffalo out was recorded, Hansen stepped up and slapped a single to score Beall-Schwab. Colleen Greene (Cheektowaga, NY/Cleveland Hill) continued UB’s rally, getting on base thanks to an Ohio error, advancing on a poor Bobcat throw that would ultimately plate two more runs, leaving Greene at second and the score set at 5-1.

Ohio kept things interesting, however, inking a duo of runs in the top of the fifth and another in the top of the seventh. Heads-up defense kept Buffalo in the contest, as the Bulls got out of a handful of bases-loaded jams while the Bobcats stranded nine runners in the 5-4 Buffalo victory.

In the day’s first game, OU struck immediately, plating two in the top of the first. Buffalo fought back, scoring one of its own in the bottom half as Hansen drew a walk and was able to advance to second on a passed ball. Lacy Schneider (Idyllwild, CA/Hemet) then reached on an error, which allowed Hansen to score.

Erin Zilka

The Bobcats’ bats then erupted, taking the Bulls for 12 runs in the top of the third and one more in the fourth to place the final score at 15-1, Ohio.

Zilka paced the Bulls at the plate, finishing the twinbill 2-for-4 while Hansen finished the day 2-for-5 with an RBI and her team-best 10th stolen base of the season. Sheffler also finished 2-for-5 with a double and a RBI while Schneider and Beall-Schwab both produced one hit and one RBI each.

The Bulls continue league play, hosting Akron on Saturday in a doubleheader that was originally scheduled as a two day, single game series. First pitch is set for noon.