May 1, 2010

Seven Run Rally Gives Bulls Split with Eastern Michigan

BUFFALO, NY –The University at Buffalo softball team ran into a hot hitting Eastern Michigan squad in a double header at Nan Harvey Field this afternoon. The Bulls dropped game one, 13-5, but used a seven run fifth inning to take game two, 8-4. Freshman Ashley Bertot finished the day with two stolen bases which puts her at the top of the single season stolen base list, with 20.


The Bulls went through their pitching line up in game one, as Sharon Barr, Terese Diaz andKate Kraus all saw action on the mound. They combined for four strikeouts.The Eagles put up four runs in the opening inning to set the pace of game one. The Bulls scored one run in the bottom of the first, as Bertot singled and advanced to second on an error, and rounded third on a stolen base. Alyssa Ward earned the RBI with the sacrifice bunt that allowed Bertot to score. However, Eastern Michigan never looked back, adding to their lead with another run in the top of the second and scoring six more in the top of the fourth inning to doom the Bulls. The Bulls looked to stage a dramatic comeback, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the damage was done as the game ended after five innings. A single from Kristen Gallipani started off the bottom of the fifth. Gallipani stole second to advance. Bertot singled on the next play, putting runners at first and third. Gallipani stole home, as the Eagles defense was distracted with a fake steal attempt from Bertot. The Bulls strung together singles fromTaylor Franich and Kristin Waldron, while Jessica Griffin grounded out, but picked up an RBI to give Buffalo their runs.


The Bulls used a seven-run fifth inning to defeat the Eagles in game two. Eastern Michigan scored first, putting up one run in both the second and third innings and adding two more in the top of the third to take a 4-0 lead. But the Buffalo offense rallied to score seven unanswered runs to eventually win the game. Alex Bejarano started off the inning with a single, followed by a single from Lindsay Hampton. Both runners advanced when Candice Sheehan grounded out. Gallipani reached base on a fielder's choice, but the effort to get Bejarano out at home was unsuccessful, giving the Bulls the score. Bertot singled, setting up a familiar situation, where Bertot successfully stole second, but Gallipani was caught stealing at home. Franich and Waldron singled, as Bertot went home for the score, setting up Griffin for a perfectly placed three run homer over the left field fence. Bejarano finished up the inning with another single to score Griffin. The Bulls scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win. 
Diaz earned the start in game two, pitching the first three innings, before being relieved by Barr, who pitched the remaining four. They combined for four strikeouts. Barr picked up the win, holding the Eagles to two hits, and no runs in her time on the mound. 

 

The Bulls (18-31, 6-12 MAC) will return to action next weekend as they wrap up the regular season against Bowling Green and Toledo. Action begins next Friday, May 7 at 1 pm at Nan Harvey Field.