STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team won its first Mid-American Conference game of the season on Sunday morning as the Bulls defeated Ball State, 7-4. The game was played at Dobson Field at D’Youville College.
The Cardinals got on the board in the top of the first, but the Bulls tied it up in the bottom of the second inning as Buffalo put runners on the corners and freshman Jessica Goldyn came in to score on a fielder’s choice by Ally Power.
Ball State regained the lead in the top of third, but the Bulls sent 10 to the plate in the bottom half of the inning as UB scored four runs in the frame. Junior Danielle Lallos doubled in a pair of runs to put the Bulls ahead 3-2. Lallos then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and she came in to score on a suicide squeeze from Goldyn. Power drove Goldyn in with an infield single.
The Cardinals pulled back within one with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, but UB got a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Lallos hit a ground-rule double to score freshman Gabby Keller and then she came in to score on a double from sophomore Catrell Robertson.
Power allowed just a two-out single in the seventh as she picked up the complete-game victory. She allowed four runs, but just two of those were earned, while striking out four.
UB finished with 10 hits in the game, including four two-hit performances. Lallos went 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, while Keller also went 2-for-4. Goldyn went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Robertson also went 2-for-3 with a base on balls.
“I am just proud of our team,” said head coach Trena Peel. “We came out with energy right from the start and we just played the game right and the game rewarded us.”
The Bulls remain in Western New York this week as they head to Canisius on Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.
