Done in a Flash

Just like that, it was over.

The momentum that the softball team gained in the past two weeks couldn't last forever. After winning six games out of seven, the Bulls (14-23, 4-8 Mid-American Conference) couldn't continue their winning ways. They hit the cover off the ball during the doubleheader, scoring 17 runs, but it wasn't enough, as Kent State (24-20, 10-4 MAC) swept Buffalo, winning 14-11 and 9-6 in two games that were back-and-forth affairs.

"They were down and we battled back, and we were down, and they battled back again," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "We left a lot of runners on base today, it doesn't matter about injuries. We are not going to be the victim of circumstance, were all Division-1 athletes, and they had to step into a new role and I don't think we did a great job of doing that today. We had veteran players striking out on the same pitches over and over and that's not acceptable."

The losses did not cloud the offensive fireworks on display at Nan Harvey Field. Six Bulls had two or more RBIs throughout the series. Sophomore centerfielder Holly Luciano and senior utility player Kristin Waldron shone brightest this weekend.

Waldron went 5-9 with two walks in the doubleheader, hitting her first homerun of the year in the first game and knocking in two runs and scoring four times overall. Teague was pleased with her effort.

"Waldron has finally starting to hit the ball like were used to her hitting, so its good to see her finally coming around," Teague said.

Luciano flexed her muscles Sunday, hitting a grand-slam homerun in the second inning of the first game. She finished the day 4-1 with four RBI's and four runs scored.

The pitching, however, wasn't as golden. They gave up 23 runs in the two games, including 14 in a game that went 10 innings.

Sophomore pitcher Tori Speckman took the brunt of that punishment, giving up a season-high 14 runs off of 15 hits in over nine innings of work. The Golden Flashes had no problem squaring up the pitches that Speckman was throwing; she gave up seven home runs.

Senior pitcher Holly Johnson didn't fare much better, as she surrendered six runs on 10 hits in 3.1 innings pitched. In what was a rough first inning that proved to be the difference in the ball game, she gave up two walks and hit Kent State's Caitie Kilbane with the bases loaded, scoring a run. In that inning, she gave up four of her six runs earned.

The Bulls were also unlucky on the injury front Sunday. Junior first baseman Jessica Griffin took a hard hit while trying to make a play defensively at first base during the first game. She left the game with concussion-like symptoms and will be day-to-day. She adds to the list of the Buffalo players that have fallen over the last few games.

"We've got a lot of tacky injuries," Teague said. "[Freshman outfielder Karly] Nevez has a little knee issue going on and hopefully she'll be back by next weekend and [sophomore second baseman] Sammi [Gallardo], she's going to see the doctor on Monday; she's got a little bit of a shoulder issue going on."

With the season quickly winding down and only nine games to go until the MAC Championships in Akron, Ohio, Teague knows that it's gut check time for her players.

"To me, we have all the tools. It just depends on how much they want to fight for the post season," Teague said. "Starting pitching needs to come out from the first inning, and we haven't had that specifically from our pitchers and we need more of it."

The Bulls hope to turn it around as they take on St. Bonaventure (17-19, 4-8 Atlantic 10) at home on Tuesday. First pitch for the game at Nan Harvey Field is slated for 4 p.m.

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