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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo softball team ended its season on a high note Sunday completing a three-game sweep of the Ohio Bobcats, this time defeating them 2-1. The Bulls (21-26 overall, 11-8 Mid-American Conference) will now turn their attention towards their first-ever trip to the MAC Tournament where they have secured the fifth seed with today's victory and will face fourth-seeded Western Michigan. With a 4-18 conference record, the Bobcats' season has come to a close.

Stacey Evans

The Bulls used solid defense in the first two innings to keep the game scoreless. With runners on the corners and two outs, senior catcher Julie Hibner (Salem, OR/South Salem) caught Jennifer Tisevich in a run down to end the inning. The Bulls would be in trouble again in the second as Ohio had a runner in scoring position with only one out, but a sharp line drive to senior pitcher Stacey Evans (Collinsville, IL/Triad) turned into a double play as her quick throw beat the runner back to second to end the inning.

The Bulls would get on the board in the third inning with two unearned runs on three Bobcats' errors. Junior Lauren Picciano (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) began the inning with a single to right field and then stole second during the next at bat. Sophomore Mary Russell (Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy) reached base on an error by the shortstop, which moved Picciano to third.

Lauren Picciano

With runners at the corners, Russell was caught in a run down, but an off-the-line throw from first base put Russell at second and plated the first Buffalo run. Freshman Marcy Hansen (Claremont, CA/Claremont) then dropped a successful sacrifice bunt to move Russell over to third. With two outs, Hibner hit a pop up that was misplayed by the Bobcat fielder at third, scoring Russell for a 2-0 Buffalo lead.

Evans would retire 13 Bobcats in a row after the double play in the second before giving up three hits and her only run of the game in the seventh. Tisevich singled to center field scoring Kelly Rodriguez, but Candace Warden hit into a game-ending double play for the 2-1 Buffalo win. Evans earned her 11th win of the year, while Kerri Harley was charged with the loss for Ohio.

The Bulls end the regular season on a four-game winning streak and finish with a 9-2 record at Nan Harvey Field.

The Bulls will now head to Akron, OH for the 2005 Mid-American Conference Tournament where they will face Western Michigan for the first time this season. First pitch will be at 5 pm on Wednesday, May 11 at Firestone Stadium.