Zilka's Grand Slam Gives Bulls the Split with Eastern Michigan

Gallipani's home run forces extra innings

Erin Zilka

YPSILANTI, MI- The University at Buffalo softball team played a doubleheader against Eastern Michigan this afternoon. The Bulls lost game one 10-1, but rallied in game two to win 6-2 in nine innings. Kristen Gallipani hit her first home run of the season to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning to force the extra innings. In the top of the ninth, Erin Zilka hit a grand slam to give the Bulls what they needed to win the game.

In game one, the Bulls scored first, earning their only run of the game in the top of the first innings. Lindsey Hampton opened the game with a double to right center. Zilka hit in similar fashion to drive Hampton home. The Bulls were unable to score again, resulting in a 10-1 loss. The Eagles scored a pair of runs in each of the second, fourth and fifth innings and closed out the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hampton and Waldron each went two-for-three at the plate, but couldn't string together enough hits to make a score.

Kristen Gallipani

Terese Diaz pitched the first three inning for Buffalo, holding the Eagles to two hits. Sharon Barr pitched the remaining 2.2 innings, striking out five batters at the plate.

The second game went in favor of the Bulls. Buffalo scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning with Kristin Waldron hitting a single up the middle. Alex Bejarano singled to the right side, bumping Waldron to second. Diaz earned the RBI with a single to right field, as Waldron scored. The Eagles put two runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead, but Buffalo tied the game in the top of the seventh as Gallipani hit her first home run of the season to send the game to extra innings. Zilka became the game hero in the top of the ninth, hitting her second home run of the season with the bases loaded. Dana Carter singled to start off the ninth inning for Buffalo. Candice Sheehan singled down the left field line, and Hampton walked to load the bases, setting up Zilka for the perfect grand slam. With two outs and the bases loaded, Zilka slammed the ball over the left field fence to send four runs home, ultimately ending the game 6-2.

Diaz pitched the complete game for Buffalo, striking out four batters, while only giving up two runs.

The Bulls return to action on Wednesday with a doubleheader against local rival Niagara at 3 pm in Lewiston, NY. Next weekend, the Bulls wrap up their road games with matches against Bowling Green and Toledo.