STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo softball team wasted a pair of masterful pitching performances on Saturday as the Bulls were swept in a doubleheader by Western Michigan. The Broncos won the first game 2-0 and then took the second contest 2-1 in 11 innings. Both games were played at Dobson Field at D’Youville College.
The two teams traded zeros over the first three innings in the first game as the Bulls were unable to score with the bases loaded in the second. Western Michigan scored the first run with a double down the right field line, taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth. The Broncos scored again in the fifth on a botched pick off attempt at third, both runs were unearned.
UB put two runners on in the fifth and the leadoff runner on in the seventh, but couldn’t score either time.
Junior Charlotte Miller picked up the hard-luck loss as she struck out nine and scattered just four hits over 7.0 innings, but allowed the two unearned runs. UB outhit Western Michigan, 5-4, as the top five players in the batting order each had a single hit.
In the second game, the solid pitching continued for both squads as again neither team scored over the first three innings, despite the Bulls putting a runner on third in the third. Western Michigan struck with a run in the fourth.
UB loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning and freshman Jessica Goldyn singled to left field, scoring sophomore Ally Power, tying the game up at 1-1. Neither team threatened to score in the sixth or seventh, sending the game to extra innings.
The game continued into the 10th where the Bulls got a one-out triple from junior Leandra Jew, but a strike out and a ground out left her stranded. Western Michigan then scored in the top of the 11th on a UB throwing error to take the 2-1 lead.
Buffalo tried to respond in the seventh as Catrell Robertson opened the inning with a double and she was replaced on the bases by Brianna Baker, who moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. A fielder’s choice and a stolen base put two in scoring position with just one away, but again the Bulls couldn’t drive the runs home with a pop up and a ground out to end the game.
Power pitched all 11.0 innings and she struck out seven, while allowing nine hits and two unearned runs. Both team finished the extra innings game with nine hits. Goldyn had three of those for the Bulls, while fellow freshman Ufuoma Ogagan went 2-for-3 from the plate.
“Today we couldn’t get hit in RBI situations,” said head coach Trena Peel. “I have to give credit to Western’s defense, they robbed a few big hits in the outfield. Our pitchers did an excellent job of putting us in a position to win. Tomorrow we just have to step-up and get it done. I know we can do it!”
The two teams wrap up their three-game series at 1pm on Sunday at Nan Harvey Field on the campus of the University at Buffalo.
