STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com

BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo softball team lost both ends of a doubleheader to Ball State in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools. The games were played at Dobson Field at D’Youville College.
The Cardinals won the opener 6-0 as Ball State opened the game with a solo home run from Maddy Labrador. UB continued to trail by just one until the fifth when Ball State scored one more and then the Cardinals broke the game open with four runs in the sixth.
Junior Danielle Lallos had two of Buffalo’s five hits in the opener, including a double in the fourth inning, but she was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. The Bulls put two runners on in the sixth, but were unable to score.
Sophomore Ally Power picked up the loss as she pitched 5.1 innings and allowed six run, while striking out five. Taylor Light pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
In the second game, Ball State scored two runs in the top of the first, but the Bulls answered with one in the bottom half of the inning. Jenelle Martinez led the inning off with a walk and she moved to third following a wild pitch and a ground out. She came in to score on an infield single by freshman Jessica Goldyn. Ball State added one in the second, but led just 3-1 until the fifth.
Ball State scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 7-1 lead. Martinez led the fifth off for UB with a double, but she was unable to get further than second base. The Cardinals added two more in the sixth inning to increase their lead to eight. Goldyn hit a ground-rule double to open the bottom of the sixth, but UB again couldn’t score.
Senior Bobbi Langlois picked up the loss as she pitched 4.1 innings and allowed seven runs, just four of those earned. Goldyn went 2-for-2 in the game, while Martinez went 1-for-1 with two walks.
“We have to find a way to put the ball in play when we have RBI situations,” said head coach Trena Peel. “We had too many strikeouts today.”
The Bulls and Cardinals are scheduled to complete their three-game series Saturday morning at Dobson Field at 9 a.m.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.