Softball Splits with Canisius

Barr and Waldron each finish the day with 2 RBIs

BUFFALO, NY- The University at Buffalo softball team took on Canisius for a midweek non-conference double header this afternoon at Nan Harvey Field. The Golden Griffins are a familiar foe, as the two teams have already met twice this season. Today, the Bulls split with the Griffs, dropping the first game 6-2, but taking the second game, 4-3 in eight innings. With their record at 24-24, the Bulls are just two wins away from earning the most wins in Buffalo’s Division I softball era.

Sharon Barr

Game one of the double header started out scoreless for the first four innings before the Bulls let the game get away from them with Canisius scoring six runs in the fifth inning. Buffalo had a chance to score in the top of the third as Ashley Kanavy singled and Kristen Gallipani came in as her pinch runner to steal second. Candice Sheehan singled to put base runners at first and second but Buffalo could not put up a run. Gallipani’s stolen base was her 16th successful one of the season, putting her tied at the top of Buffalo’s all-time single season stolen bases list.

Buffalo got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Terese Diaz singled to left field and was relieved on the bag by pinch runner, Jen Mongiovi. Sharon Barr slammed the ball over the left field fence for her second home run of the season to earn two RBIs, but the deficit was too much as the Bulls went down, 6-2. Barr went three-for-seven on the day with a .429 batting average.

Diaz started the game, pitching 5.2 innings and striking out five batters. Barr relieved Diaz for 1.1 innings and added a strikeout to the count.

In game two, Canisius acted as the home team and got on the board early, scoring a quick run in the bottom of the first and second. Buffalo came back with two runs of their own, stringing together four hits in the top of the third. Dominique Carcone started the inning off with a single to right center, followed by an RBI double from Gallipani. Sheehan singled to advance Gallipani to third, setting up Kristin Waldron for an RBI single through the left side, as Gallipani scored. Canisius tied the game at three in the bottom of the sixth inning to force extra innings, as neither team could score in the seventh.

Kristin Waldron

In the top of the eighth inning, Waldron tripled to right center and advanced home on a Canisius throwing error to score the eventual game winner. The triple marked Waldron’s fifth of the season and puts her at the top of the single season triple’s list, beating out the previous record of four set in 2002. Diaz left two Canisius runners stranded in the bottom of the eighth to seal the win, striking out the last batter with runners in scoring position at second and third.

Barr started game two on the mound for Buffalo, pitching five innings while striking out three batters. Diaz came in for the last three innings and added three strikeouts of her own and didn’t allow any runs.

The Bulls continue their six game home stand with a MAC double header against Western Michigan, on Friday, May 1. First pitch is set for 1 pm at Nan Harvey Field.