For the first time in over a month, the Buffalo softball team felt the sensation of victory. The Bulls defeated Canisius in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, securing their first victory since March 2. The Bulls had lost 11 games in a row in that time span.
The first game of the double-header was more of the same for Buffalo (2-16), as Canisius (13-10) jumped on the Bulls quickly, taking a 3-0 lead through the first inning. The Bulls attempted a comeback, inching as close as 4-2 before the Golden Griffins put Buffalo away with a two-run sixth inning, to take a 6-2 victory.
Canisius pitcher Juliette Bowers paced the Griffs with her team-leading seventh victory of the year. Bowers pitched five strong innings striking out four batters, and giving up two runs on four hits. Emily Helbig led Canisius' offense, going 1-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Buffalo senior pitcher Sharon Barr turned in a complete game on the mound, pitching all six innings, while giving up six earned runs and striking out three batters. Barr also helped her own cause with a solo home run.
The second game of the doubleheader did not start any better for the Bulls as Canisius scored the first three runs of the game, taking a 3-0 lead after two innings. Buffalo's offense came alive, exploding for four runs in the third inning.
Freshman left fielder Candice Sheehan started the inning off with a single, and was then moved to second by sophomore right fielder Erin Gallipani on a fielder's choice. Junior catcher Erin Zilka loaded the bases when she reached first base on a throwing error. Senior center fielder, Mary Russell, made Canisius pay by smacking a two-run single into right-field, to make the score 3-2.
Russell then stole second base, forcing a throw from Canisius catcher Michelle Fridey, allowing senior shortstop Marcy Hansen to steal home on the play and tie the game at three. Sheehan's sister, junior catcher Wendy Sheehan, capped off the inning with an RBI single to give Buffalo a 4-3 lead.
Buffalo finished off the scoring when Hansen hit an RBI triple to make the score 5-3. The Bulls held Canisius scoreless the rest of the game and won their first game in over one month by a score of 5-3.
Sophomore pitcher Katie Ivancich picked up the first win of her collegiate career, pitching seven innings and allowing nine hits and three earned runs. Ivancich also struck out four batters while only walking two.
Hansen led Buffalo's offensive attack, going 2-2 with the RBI single and also stole home, while Russell picked up two RBI's, and Wendy Sheehan chipped in a fourth run.
Buffalo will next take the field on Friday, April 4, when it will travel to Athens, Ohio, to face off against MAC opponent the Ohio Bobcats in a double-header. The opening game's first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
