Bulls Split with Western Michigan in Close Scoring Affairs

Freshman Terese Diaz strikes out sixteen batters and adds two RBIs at the plate

BUFFALO, NY-The University at Buffalo softball team hosted the Western Michigan Broncos in a Mid-American Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at Nan Harvey Field. The Bulls took game one in ten innings, 6-5, but fell, 1-0 in game two. UB's record now stands at 25-25 (7-13 MAC), which ties the most wins by a UB softball program in its Division-I history.

Kristin Waldron

The Bulls took an early lead in game one, putting up two runs in the bottom of the first. Candice Sheehan and Kristin Waldron both walked to put runners at first and second and Alex Bejarano knocked the ball deep to left field for a two-run double. The Broncos came back with back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the second to match the score and took a one run lead in the top of the third. The Bulls posted another run in the bottom of the third, with Kristen Gallipani singling down the left field line, stealing second and making it to third on a passed ball. Waldron doubled to left center to drive home the RBI. With Gallipani's two stolen bases on the day, she now leads Buffalo's all-time stolen bases in a single-season with 18.

WMU scored two runs in the top of the fourth, but Buffalo was relentless, mounting a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Ashley Kanavy walked as a pinch hitter to start the inning. Lindsey Hampton replaced Kanavy on base and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Sheehan. Gallipani and Sharon Barr each singled to load the bases. Waldron sent a single to left field for the RBI. Terese Diaz walked to send home the tying run to force extra innings.

It took three extra innings to decide the winner, as neither team could score in the eighth or ninth. In conference games a runner is placed on second in the 10th inning in the event of a tie. Waldron was placed on second and sent to third on a sacrifice bunt by Bejarano. Diaz flied out to center field but Waldron was able to tag up and slide home for the winning run. Waldron went two-for- three with two RBIs in the game.

Sharon Barr

Diaz started on the mound for Buffalo, striking out four Broncos in two innings of work. Barr finished the game, adding five strikeouts in eight innings. The win marked Barr's 11th of the season. The pitchers stranded a season-high 13 base runners throughout game one.

In game two, Western Michigan scored the only run of the game in the top of the third inning. The rest of the game was a defensive dual, as neither team could get any more runs on the board. Gallipani, Barr, Waldron and Dana Carter each had its for Buffalo, but couldn't string enough together for a score.

Terese Diaz

Diaz pitched the complete game striking out twelve batters, bringing her total to 197 on the season. The 197 strikeouts puts Diaz at the top of Buffalo?s single season strikeout list. The previous record was 178, set in 2004.

The Bulls are back in action tomorrow with a game against Northern Illinois. First pitch is set for 2 pm at Nan Harvey Field.