UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO ATHLETICS
MOUNT PLEASANT, M.I. — The University at Buffalo softball team (13-20, 5-6 MAC) dropped both ends of the Sunday doubleheader on the road at Central Michigan. The Bulls were handed the 7-1 defeat in the first game of the afternoon before falling 13-5 in the final game of the weekend.
The Chippewas opened the scoring in the first game of the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning as a pair of hit batters and a Buffalo error allowed the home team to notch three runs and take the 3-0 edge.
Central Michigan added a run in the bottom of the third inning with a RBI triple and another two runs in the fourth to take the 6-0 lead over the Bulls.
After CMU made the score 7-0 in the fifth, Buffalo was finally able to break through with their first run of the game in the top of the seventh inning as Jessica Goldyn collected the RBI fielder’s choice to plate Alissa Karjelfrom third as UB fell 7-1 in the first game of the doubleheader.
The UB offense only produced five hits in the loss as Ufuoma Ogagan led the way going 2-for-3 while Jenelle Martinez, Danielle Lallos and Catrell Robertson each notched a hit.
Buffalo started the second game off quick as Goldyn opened the game with an infield single and Leandra Jewearned a walk to give UB two runners on with no outs. A passed ball helped the two runners move up into scoring position and Martinez recorded a RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field to give UB the 1-0 lead.
The Chippewas didn’t waste any time getting the lead back as they tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the first and then plated a pair of runs in the second to take the 3-1 advantage over the visitors.
The Bulls were able to plate a pair of runs with two outs in the third inning as Anna Aguon started the rally as she was hit with a pitch. Martinez then stepped in and knocked a RBI double into right center and Lallos followed suit with a RBI double to left center to plate Martinez and tie the game, 3-3.
Buffalo regained the 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth inning as Ogagan singled to left field and Goldyn knocked her in with a RBI double to left field.
The home team didn’t flinch however, as they were able to put up nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the commanding 12-4 lead over the Bulls. The Chippewas connected on eight hits in the inning to take over control of the game.
Buffalo scored a run in the fifth inning as Lallos singled to right field and Robertson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Karjel then dug in and delivered the RBI single to center field to plate Lallos from second base and cut the Chippewas lead to 12-5.
The game came to an end in the bottom of the fifth inning as the home team notched a solo home run to right center field to take the 13-5 win in five innings over the Bulls.
Goldyn and Lallos each went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI in the loss while Martinez went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Karjel notched her eighth RBI of the season while Ogagan and Alyssa Cuevas each recorded a hit in the loss.
The Bulls will return to the diamond on Wednesday afternoon as they head to Akron to wrap up the regular season series against the Zips. First pitch on Wednesday is set for 2:00 pm.