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Bulls Drop A Pair To The Zips

In the first game, the Bulls threatened early as they loaded the bases with one-out in the top of the first inning, however freshman Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia) lined out into a double play, ending the inning.

The Zips struck first in the opener, rallying for a run with two outs in the second inning. The Bulls got out of any further damage as Sara Zilles was called out for leaving first base early. Akron added another run in the third inning on a single to center field.

The Zips doubled their lead in the fourth inning on a two-out, two-run single by Carrese Moody. Akron added another run in the fifth inning, reaching the plate on an error by the short stop on what would have been an inning-ending play.

The Bulls had a tough time getting to the Akron pitcher. UB had three hits through two innings, but then 11 straight Bulls were set down through five innings.

UB threatened again in the sixth inning as senior Lauren Picciano (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) struck out to leadoff the inning, but reached on a passed ball on strike three. Picciano then stole second and was moved to third on a single by Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont). After starting pitcher Sophie Barstad (Canby,OR/Canby) popped out, Lacy Schneider (Idyllwild, CA/Hemet) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. However, Akron hurler Megan MacKenzie, got the next two UB batters to strikeout, giving her eight on the game.

MacKenzie picked up the win for Akron, going to distance, striking out 10 UB hitters, while scattering just six hits. Barstad was credited with the loss allowing four earned runs on eight hits, dropping to 8-16 on the year,

Kim Hanzlian

Freshman Kim Hanzlian (Cheektowaga, NY/John F. Kennedy) emerged as the offensive standout, going 2-for-3 in the contest.

In the night cap, the Zips got on the board in the bottom of the first, scoring on a sacrifice fly. UB tied the game up as Zilka hit her team-leading sixth home run of the season, a shot to left field. Akron regained the lead in the second, scoring on a UB error and again on a wild pitch.

Erin Zilka

The Bulls regained the lead with a three-run third inning as Picciano got on with an infield single, moving to second on a throwing error. Junior Colleen Greene (Cheektowaga, NY/Cleveland Hill) scored on the play. Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy), who was also on base during the Picciano single, scored on a bunt single from Hansen, moving Picciano over to third. UB got its third run when the Akron catcher committed a throwing error trying to throw Hansen out at second, with Picciano scoring on the play.

The back-an-fourth contest, swung Akron's way in the bottom of the third, as it scored on a two-run double, to take a one run lead. The Zips would ultimately put up five in the inning and tack on three more in the fourth. The Bulls added one in the sixth on an RBI single by Greene to right field.

Jennifer Biernacki

Julie Boyes picked up the win for Akron, while sophomore Margo Schramm (Phoenix, AZ/Catalina Foothills/Iowa Lakes CC) picked up the loss for Buffalo, dropping to 0-10 on the year. Freshman Jennifer Biernacki (Medina, NY/Medina) pitched two innings, striking out three batters and allowing just one run.

Despite losing the second game, the Bulls outhit Akron, 10-9, but weren't able to string the hits together, as well as some untimely errors in the contest.

The Bulls return to action as they begin a weekend set at Ohio. UB meets the Bobcats tomorrow for a 2:00 pm contest, and finish up the series on Sunday with a 1:00 pm game.