FAIRFAX, Va. – University at Buffalo sophomore Ally Power struck out nine batters in six innings on Friday afternoon, but picked up a hard-luck loss as the Bulls fell at George Mason, 2-1.
Power held the Patriots hitless for the first four innings, striking out eight batters along the way. Her counterpart was just as impressive as she struck out 12 UB batters in total. The Bulls struck first in the fourth inning as junior Leandra Jew reached on a GMU error and advanced to second on another Patriots’ miscue. A wild pitch put two in scoring position and another wild pitch scored UB’s first run as Jew came in to score.
Buffalo continued to hold on to a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth when three straight singles loaded the bases for George Mason with nobody out. A fourth consecutive single tied the ball game up, but then Power got the next two batters out. However, with the bases still loaded a failed pickoff attempt at third led to a UB error, scoring the go ahead run.
The Bulls were able to put two on in the seventh, but couldn’t score the game-tying run. Power allowed five hits and just one earned run as she struck out nine and walked only one batter. The Bulls finished with two hits, coming from Jew and freshman Jenelle Martinez.
“That was a pitching battle,” said head coach Trena Peel. “I’m proud of Ally. She threw a phenomenal game. As a team, we played as a unit and we just came up short. It really came down to who was going to make the last mistake or come up with that one big hit.”
The Bulls will move on to Norfolk State tomorrow for the Spartan Classic. UB will face Hartford at 9 a.m. and then Norfolk State at 2 p.m.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
