Spoiled homecoming

What began as a festive day for Buffalo softball, in which four seniors were honored and the team's first game at UB in 21 days, ended in defeat.

The Bulls (12-26, 5-9 Mid-American Conference) dropped both games of a doubleheader on Sunday to Northern Illinois (18-26, 7-7 MAC). After a five-game winning streak just a little over a week ago, Buffalo has lost four of its last five games.

Junior second baseman Sammi Gallardo and junior Heather Ryder led the Bulls offensively with three hits each in the two games. Buffalo dropped the first game, rallying behind from two runs down to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth to force extra innings, but allowed back-to-back home runs in the top of the eighth and lost the contest 6-4.

The after effects of the first game seemed to hinder Buffalo in the second, as the team recorded only two hits in a 6-0 shut out loss.

"It's real tough [to play another game after a long previous game]," Gallardo said. "A big part of softball is that it's such a mental game. When you are up to bat it's one on one, you against the pitcher, and when you are on the field, it's you against that batter. It's a big mental game and it's whether or not you can push through and fight for your team."

All three of Gallardo's hits came in the first game of the afternoon.

Junior Tori Speckman pitched the entire first game for Buffalo, allowing six hits and six runs while striking out seven Huskies batters. The Bulls connected for 10 hits in the first game but could not emerge with the victory.

"We came out swinging the first game," said head coach Jennifer Teague. "Tori didn't have her best game on the mound and then our bats just went cold in the second game. We aren't going to win many games like that."

In game two, the Bulls squared off with Emily Norton of Northern Illinois, who also pitched the final two innings of game one and earned the victory. Norton pitched a complete game shut out, allowing only two hits.

For Buffalo, junior Heather Ryder failed to make it out of the second inning. She was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs for freshman Dani Cowan but allowed the first four Huskies hitters to reach base as all three inherited runs crossed the plate.

Teague also believes there was a letdown from such a completive first game into the second half of the day.

"I think there was [a carryover from the first defeat into game two]," Teague said. "Obviously we didn't get better play. I would like to see the competitor in them come out a little more and come out swinging."

This competitive flare is a trait Teague believes the Bulls have lacked over their recent losing streak and one she would like to see return to the Buffalo field and bench.

"We need to get our minds right," Teague said. "All of these girls were leaders when they were recruited. They were the best players on their teams. For some reason, they have gotten here and they have let somebody else lead and have forgotten what its like to lead."

The Bulls will look to return to their winning ways when they face off in a home-and-home series with Canisius (14-15, 8-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) on Tuesday in a big four non-conference showdown. The Bulls will host the first game at Nan Harvey Field. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com