SOFTBALL

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team earned its third win of the season over local rival Niagara University (4-18) this afternoon by a 5-1 score. Junior Marce Ross (Innisfil, Ontario/St. Peter's) stole a UB single-game record three bases in the game, and the Bulls as a team stole a single-game record six bases. With the win, the Bulls improve to 15-16 overall.

Marce Ross

The Bulls got things started early with two runs crossing the plate in the top of the first inning. Ross crossed the plate on a double steal and sophomore Ann Magur (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) came home on a grounder to third by junior Breanne Nasti (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin). The Bulls scored two more runs in the top of the third on a single by senior Kelly Malone (Waterford, MI/Waterford Kettering) that scored both Nasti and Magur. Sophomore Melissa Pace (Long Beach, CA/Millikan) then scored UB's final run of the game in the fourth, stealing third base and then coming home on a throwing error by Niagara catcher Amanda Baluch. The Purple Eagles spoiled sophomore pitcher Stacey Evans' (Collinsville, IL/Triad) attempt at her sixth shutout of the season in the bottom of the seventh. Colleen Larsen doubled to center and then scored Niagara's lone run of the game on a double by Amy Dulski.

Evans struck out six and allowed just three hits to improve her record to 10-9 on the year. Niagara's Ashleigh Barber gave up seven hits and three earned runs while striking out five in the complete-game loss. Offensively for the Bulls, Nasti and freshman Lauren Picciano (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) each finished with two hits in the game, while Malone had two RBIs and Magur scored two runs.

The Bulls next host Miami University in a three-game Mid-American Conference series on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. Friday's single game begins at 3 pm and Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 pm.