On paper, it looked like a perfect opportunity for the UB softball team to make its mark on the Mid-American Conference - a doubleheader against the number one team in the MAC, the Central Michigan Chippewas.
The Bulls had an auspicious start to the day, defeating CMU 2-0, but the second game did not turn out quite the same way.
The Chippewas (20-10 overall, 10-2 MAC) are perennial favorites to win the MAC and were even able to beat one of the premier teams in the NCAA when they beat the University of Michigan Wolverines on Apr. 6.
With inclement weather on Wednesday, Buffalo (13-23 overall, 8-5 MAC) followed suit from its poor weather; the Bulls rained on CMU's high-flying parade by winning the only game that the two teams were able to play, 2-0 in five-plus innings on a wet Nan Harvey Field.
"We wanted to send a message not only to Central Michigan, but to the rest of the MAC," said senior first baseman Melissa Pace. "We're a team to be reckoned with and you can't just overlook us like in past years."
In the first inning, the Chippewas had their chances to score some runs, but were denied by UB starter Sophie Barstad. CMU leadoff hitter Karen Hohs lined a single down the third base line past Laura Kor, who was playing in because of the speedy hitter's threat to bunt.
Playing aggressively, Hohs stole both second and third base on Barstad, who hit freshman cleanup batter Amy Hudson. Hudson stole second base to join Hohs in scoring position, but Barstad got the next batter to pop out to catcher Julie Hibner, ending the CMU threat.
Buffalo decided to play some small ball of its own as junior leadoff hitter Lauren Picciano led off with a walk after drawing a full count and fouling off several pitches. UB head coach Marie Curran called a hit-and-run with Marcy Hansen, who struck out. Picciano stole second on the play and then stole third base, but was ultimately unable to score in the inning.
Barstad went on cruise control for UB, as she held Central Michigan to zilch in the next three frames, allowing up zero base runners in each inning. Barstad ended up giving up only three hits on the day while striking out one batter to earn the win and improve her record to 7-8 this season.
"(Barstad) did an incredible job in the rain, she did what she needed to, but mentally she got her job done which made her pitch even better because nothing affected her," said Curran. "She was hitting all of her spots and pitched so well, I don't think they would've come back."
The command Barstad demonstrated on the inside part of the plate kept the Chippewa hitters off-balance all day, allowing Buffalo to have a chance to win the game.
"I like to throw inside and outside, but usually I don't get (the inside corner) called, I think this was one of the first games where I actually got that call," said Barstad.
In the bottom half of the fifth inning, a rain delay was called in the middle of sophomore right fielder Mary Russell's at bat. The delay lasted almost 50 minutes, but already with a 3-1 count, Russell drew the walk - probably the longest at bat of the season for Buffalo. UB second baseman Marcy Hansen followed up Russell with a single to put two on base for center fielder Ann Magur.
Magur, the team leader in almost every offensive category, blooped an RBI single just inside the right field line, which scored Russell. She was then followed by Buffalo cleanup hitter Lacy Schneider, who hit a Texas-leaguer of her own in the same spot, scoring Hansen.
"Our pitching is here, we normally play good defense, and our team average has gone up every game, which means we are hitting better," said Curran. "We're putting down bunts, stealing bases, we're doing all of the little things to produce runs."
Play continued until the middle of the sixth, when there was another 25-minute rain delay; however, the game was not to be started again. The contest was called due to sloppy conditions, giving Buffalo the win. The second game was cancelled and will not be made up this season.
"It's tough to play in conditions like that, with a 50-minute rain delay, tarping and untarping the field, and keeping the ball dry," said Magur. "But both teams were playing in (the rain) and I'm so proud of our team for stepping up and doing what we had to do."
For Central Michigan, starter Jessica Garvin was credited for both UB runs and took the loss, which lowered her record to 11-5. Entering the contest, Garvin was in third place in the MAC with a 1.60 ERA and eighth in the conference with 105 strikeouts. She struck out four Bulls.
"They are so in tune with how well they're playing. The excitement of being in fourth place in our conference, the first time we've ever done that, gives us all the emotion and focus that we need right now," said Curran. "Everything's going in the right direction, and we keep getting better and better every game. It's great for our senior class, they've been pushing hard and now they're enjoying the game again."
