The University at Buffalo softball team (6-20 overall, 2-3 MAC) looked to continue its recent string of good pitching on Wednesday in a doubleheader against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-7 overall, 3-1 MAC).
They did just that as they allowed only three runs in the first game, a 3-1 loss, but were able to roar back in the second game, winning a 9-0 mercy decision behind a complete game shutout by sophomore pitcher Sophie Barstad and a 4-for-4, five-RBI performance by senior slugger Ann Magur.
"Our pitchers have been tremendous all season. They've hung in for us while our batters have been struggling," said Buffalo head coach Marie Curran. "Unfortunately, we let Stacey (Evans) down in the first game, but we were able to pick it up in the second game to get the win."
The Eagles' batters scored early in the first inning off Bulls' starter Stacey Evans (3-10), as EMU leadoff hitter Lauren Clark singled to right field. She then advanced to second base on a groundout to Evans. This was to be followed up by back-to-back RBI doubles by Lindsay Schmid and Lauren Allen.
The Eagles stretched their lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning off of back-to-back doubles by Ashley Strauss and Liz Flack.
The real story of the first game, however, was the pitching performance of Eagles' starter Aimee Woodrum, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. This bid was spoiled by the first career homerun by junior Lisa Wheat, who pinch-hit for sophomore Mary Russell.
This was the only Buffalo hit in the game, as Woodrum settled down and retired the next three batters to seal the EMU victory. For the Bulls, Evans allowed 11 hits, including four doubles, while striking out three en route to a complete game loss (3-10).
In the second game, Buffalo got the offense going early thanks to solid fundamental softball. Freshman Laura Kor led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice by sophomore outfielder Mary Russell, advanced to third on an infield single by junior Lauren Picciano, and scored on a single up the middle by Magur.
With the one-run lead, UB starter Sophie Barstad took over the game. Throughout her six full innings, Barstad allowed two hits and three walks while striking out one, but was able to relax early with the 1-0 lead.
"In the first inning, we got one run, and even having one run is enough, and it helped me relax," said Barstad. "I just hope we come out strong with our bats again next time as well."
The score remained the same until a Buffalo offensive explosion in the fourth inning, in which the Bulls scored five runs. With singles by freshman Lacy Schneider and sophomore Colleen Greene, the Bulls loaded the bases with underclassmen as sophomore Mary Russell drew a walk.
Schneider was able to walk home the remaining 60 feet after Picciano took ball four from EMU starter Michelle Lloyd, whose six earned runs inflated her ERA to 4.91. Magur then cleared the bases with a line drive double to right-center and was brought home on a double by fellow senior Melissa Pace.
"Our younger players have done a good job," said Curran. "We only had two seniors on the field and they went 6-for-6. When they do their job, our underclassmen feel relaxed and don't feel like they have to do more, helping them relax at the plate."
Pace also had positive things to say about the UB underclassmen.
"It felt good to see our underclassmen do well," she said. "Our seniors have had some trouble stepping up, and our team has been struggling as a result. Our underclassmen have really been helping out with the hitting."
Buffalo stretched the lead to 9-0 in the sixth inning, as Kor pulled a double to left-center. Russell reached on an error by the EMU third baseman. The two then stole bases to advance, and an RBI single by Magur knocked in Kor. Russell scored on a wild pitch by Eagles' reliever Krissy Threet, and another error brought Magur home again. The game was called an inning early due to the mercy rule.
Barstad's complete game shutout in game two improved her record to 3-7 on the season while setting her ERA at 2.74.
"Sophie is going to be an incredible player for us, even last year, we just knew she'd need experience, but today she came out on fire against EMU," said Curran. "There was no comparison between the pitcher that came out today and when she came out last week against Marshall."
The UB victory was a huge relief for the players, as a winning result has been hard to come by this year, especially in close games. The 9-0 win over EMU is the largest margin of victory for the Bulls all season.
"We really needed to get into a groove and get a breakout game. We knew we were so close, and today things started to fall into place," said Magur. "In the second game, we shortened up and started focusing a lot better. It's a relief, we knew it would happen and it was good that it actually did."
Buffalo will look to extend its recent winning trend at MAC East leader Kent State (12-13 overall, 2-1 MAC) on Saturday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
