SOFTBALL

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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team (5-19, 2-12 MAC) split a doubleheader with visiting Kent State this afternoon at the UB Softball Stadium, shutting out the Golden Flashes, 5-0, in the opener before losing the nightcap, 1-0.

Allison Round

Game one began as a defensive battle before sophomore Allison Round (Markham, Ontario/Markham District) broke things open in the fifth inning with her first home run of the season, a three-run shot over the center field fence to score freshman Melissa Pace (Long Beach, CA/Millikan) and sophomore Marce Ross (Innisfil, Ontario/St. Peter's). The Bulls put two more insurance runs across the plate in the sixth inning on an RBI-single up the middle by Pace that scored sophomore Jennifer Moore (Williamsville, NY/Delhi (Ont.) District) and sophomore Jessica Labella (Kings Park, NY/Kings Park). That was all the help freshman pitcher Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) would need as she picked up her second win of the season while striking out a career-high nine batters.

Stacey Evans

The only hit Evans allowed in the game was a one-out single to center field by Tammy Stires in the fifth inning. Kent State's Tracie Logar took the loss, allowing four hits and three runs in four and one-third innings.

The Golden Flashes came out looking for revenge in the nightcap, but the Bulls were able to keep the game scoreless by getting out of two bases-loaded jams in the second and third innings. Leah Dorto then doubled to lead off the sixth inning, advanced to third on an error by Pace and scored the game's only run on a foul fly ball to left field by pinch-hitter Jodi Stevens. The Bulls threatened in the seventh when freshman Julie Hibner (Salem, OR/South Salem) led off with a triple to left center, but the Golden Flashes came up with key defensive plays to earn the win. After Moore struck out swinging, junior Missy Switzer (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West/Valparaiso), pinch-running for Hibner, was tagged out at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt back to pitcher Kate Leary by sophomore Heather Robbins (West Bloomfield, MI/West Bloomfield). Leary then ended the game with a strikeout of Pace to earn her eighth win of the year. The Golden Flashes had seven hits in the game, led by Dorto's 3-for-3 performance, and sophomore Breanne Nasti (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) had the Bulls' only other two hits in the nightcap. Robbins took the loss on the mound for the Bulls despite allowing no earned runs and striking out four.

The Bulls and the Golden Flashes (15-21, 5-10 MAC) will conclude their three-game series with a single game tomorrow at 1 pm at the UB Softball Stadium. Buffalo then hosts local rivals Niagara and Canisius in 3 pm doubleheaders on Monday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 23, respectively.