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Bulls Win On Walk-Off Home Run By Russell

Mary Russell

UB relied on the strong pitching of junior Sophie Barstad (Canby, OR/Canby), who retired the first seven batters of the game in order. The Bulls would put the first two runs on the board as Russell led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) then hit a single through the right side. She advanced to second on the throw to third base and then to third on the throwing error by the right fielder, scoring Russell. Hansen then came home on an RBI ground out by Erin Zilka (Benicia, CA/Benicia). UB loaded the bases in the first, but were unable to plate anymore runs, stranding four of its 13 runners left on base this afternoon.

Colleen Greene

The Bulls added a run in the bottom of the third as Laura Kor (Beaverton, OR/Westview) opened up the inning with a single to short. She moved to second on a base hit by Lacy Schneider (Idylwild, CA/Hemet) and after reaching third base on a fielder's choice, Kor was driven in by Greene, for the first of her two RBIs on the afternoon.

Miami finally got to Barstad in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs on a home run by Christine Bills, cutting the Buffalo lead to one. The Bulls added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning. Hansen and Zilka led the inning off with back-to-back singles and each moved up a base on the ground out by Kor. Hansen later scored when the RedHawk short stop had a tough time fielding a hit by Schneider.

Miami got back within one in the top of the fifth, plating a run on an RBI single and would go on to take a one-run lead on a two-run home run by Natalie Savona in the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom half of the inning the Bulls had the bases loaded, but were unable to put a run across and sending the game into the seventh inning.

Barstad kept the RedHawks off the board in the top of the seventh inning and gave her team one last opportunity. Greene, who had not hit a home run in the first 176 at bats of her career, led off the inning with a round-tripper to center field, tying the game at five. Miami made a pitching change, bringing Kelly Cabana into the game. Russell, who had three home runs on the season, jumped all over the first pitch she saw, ending the game with a solo home run to left field, her fourth of the season. All four of Russell's home runs have come in conference games.

Sophie Barstad

Barstad pitched the complete game for the Bulls and was credited with the win, allowing eight hits and five runs, while walking two and striking out three. Melissa Kail started the game for Miami, going six-plus innings, allowing nine hits and five runs, four of those earned. Kail walked three and struck out one before being lifted after Greene's home run. Cabana was credited with the loss, allowing Russell's home run on the first pitch she threw.

The RedHawks committed seven errors in the game, which the Bulls turned in to just one run, stranding 13 runners in the contest.

Greene finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs and the Bulls played tremendous defense in the field, recording no errors in the game. Barstad finished with six fielding assists, making a few nice plays on balls hit back her way. Kerry Cafazzo (Everett, MA/Everett) turned in a solid defensive day at third base, finishing with four assists as well as four putouts.

The Bulls look for the sweep and a win to end the 2006 season as they host Miami tomorrow at 1:00 pm at Nan Harvey Field. UB will recognize its two seniors prior to the contest. The game will also air live on WLVL - 1340 AM, as well Teamline, which can be accessed from the Buffalo softball home page.