Extending their current winning streak to seven games - the longest in the history of the Buffalo softball program - the UB softball team tallied two victories over rival St. Bonaventure in a Wednesday afternoon double-header at Nan Harvey Field.
The Bulls (17-23 overall, 8-5 Mid-American Conference) defeated the Bonnies (12-19 overall) 3-1 in game one and 7-0 in game two.
After being idle for almost a week because of the weather-related cancellations, the Bulls took advantage of their non-league opponent in the Bonnies and returned to their prior winning ways.
"The benefit of playing St. Bonaventure is that it really got the jitters out," said senior center fielder Ann Magur. "Basically, we are happy that we got all the bad stuff out in the first game and won the second game convincingly. It was like a warm-up heading into MAC competition instead of going a week and a half without playing."
After surrendering an early run to St. Bonaventure, the Bulls used a three-run second inning to score a come-from-behind victory in the first game. Freshman Lacy Scheider led off the bottom of the deuce with a double and was joined on base when teammate Laura Kor landed a walk. A passed ball allowed both runners to advance, with Schneider scoring the Bulls' first run of the game on a passed ball.
Kor gave UB the 2-1 lead when Kristen Jock reached base thanks to a St. Bonaventure error, and the Bulls were able to score their third and final run when sophomore right fielder Mary Russell punched a single to right field that scored Jock from first base. Earning her ninth win of the season, pitcher and sophomore sensation Sophie Barstad threw a complete game on the mound for the Bulls.
"Having solid pitching that has pretty much shut down every team we have played has helped us relax at the plate," said Magur. "We don't need to be tightening up at the plate anymore because we know our pitchers are going to be getting it done on the mound."
In the nightcap, Buffalo captured an early four-run lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, freshman Marcy Hansen hit a single and followed with a stolen base and ultimately reached third base on a passed ball. Magur was then walked and with the corners studded, the Bulls were off and running, completing a double steal to make the score 1-0.
Two St. Bonaventure errors and a passed ball allowed Buffalo to score twice more and with two outs and two runners on base, Kerry Cafazzo hit a single that scored the fourth run of the inning, giving the Bulls a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, UB scored three more runs on four hits to extend its lead over the Bonnies, 7-0.
Stacy Evans pitched a four-hitter and picked up her eighth win of the season for the Bulls. The senior righty went the distance on the mound for UB, allowing just four hits while striking out six.
The Bulls will look to continue mixing the skill of seasoned veterans and talented underclassmen as the team closes out the final stanza of its regular season and prepares to head into the MAC Tournament.
"The freshmen knew coming in here that there were expectations to win and this freshman class is not alright with losing," said Magur.
The Bulls will return to MAC competition tomorrow when they take on Bowling Green in a three-game weekend series in Ohio.
