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Sophie Barstad

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team used some late-inning heroics on Tuesday as it beat the Niagara Purple Eagles 5-3 to improve to 18-26 on the year. The game was originally scheduled as a doubleheader, but the second game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Bulls were down early in the game as senior pitcher Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) gave up three Niagara runs in the first inning. However, she gave up only three hits and no runs during the rest of the game. Evans tied her career-high with a 12-strikeout performance.

The Bulls would get a run in the second inning off the bat of sophomore designated player Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby) as she hit her first home run of the season to center field. Mostly known for her pitching, Barstad would continue to be impressive from the plate.

Kerry Cafazzo

The Bulls would continue to trail 3-1 entering the seventh inning. Freshman Kerry Cafazzo (Everett, MA/Everett) led off the inning with a triple to right center and would later score on a wild pitch to pull the Bulls within one. Sophomore Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy) would follow with a double to left center, scoring the game-tying run, Lauren Picciano (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott), who walked earlier in the inning. The Bulls would then get a single from freshman Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont), which would ultimately set the stage for Barstad with two on and two outs. Barstad singled to right center, clearing the bases, and putting the Bulls ahead for good.

Barstad finished the game 2-for-4 with one run scored and three RBIs.

The Bulls will be back in action this weekend as they take on Mid-American Conference rival Ohio University in their final regular-season series of 2005. They will meet the Bobcats for a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1:00 pm. That will be followed by a single game on Sunday which will also begin at 1:00 pm. The Bulls' four seniors will be honored on Sunday.