BUFFALO STATE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo State will make its fifth-consecutive SUNYAC playoff appearance starting on Thursday when it opens play as the No. 6 seed against top-seeded host Geneseo (26-6/13-3) in the first game of the double-elimination bracket.
Buffalo State enters the tournament 11-18 overall and finished 9-9 in league play. After winning just two of their first 12 games this season, the Bengals found their stride under first-year head coach Jamie Brown, assembling a stretch of nine wins in their next 12 games, all in league play, before dropping five-straight to close the regular season.
Julia Blujus (Amherst/Sacred Heart) has paced the Bengals’ offense this season, hitting .388. Danielle Szymkowiak (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) is second on the team with a .359 average and 17 RBIs and drew a team-best 17 walks. Abijah Adams (Rochester/Greece-Arcadia) leads Buffalo State with 20 RBIs and matched Szymkowiak with three home runs.
Marissa Hayes (N. Tonawanda/Niagara-Wheatfield) has been the Bengals’ workhorse in the circle, pitching 124 of the team’s 191 2/3 innings. The sophomore transfer is 10-10 with a 4.29 ERA and 42 strikeouts.
Buffalo State dropped both decisions to Geneseo during the regular season, falling 5-3 in the opener despite outhitting the Knights 11-5. Geneseo took the second game by a 7-0 count.
The Bengals are seeking their fifth SUNYAC title and first since 2009.
For the full bracket and to follow along with the tournament, visit: http://geneseoknights.com/sports/sball/2017-18/releases/SUNYAC_SB18
