Softball falls on Senior Day

Buffalo's last home loss over the weekend involved much more than what was on the scoreboard.

Although the Bulls (21-20, 5-5 Mid-American Conference) lost three out of four games this past weekend, their biggest loss was saying goodbye to their five senior players.

Seniors center fielder Holly Luciano, shortstop Sammi Gallardo, third baseman Tori Pettine, first baseman Heather Ryder and pitcher Tori Speckman lost their last game at Nan Harvey Field, falling to Toledo (15-31, 6-10 MAC) 6-2 on Senior Day. Buffalo was swept on Friday by Bowling Green (20-23-1, 6-8 MAC) in a doubleheader.

Despite the results on Senior Day, Speckman is proud of her time at Buffalo and is excited for the future of the softball program.

"This is a beginning program and kind of just starting off right now," Speckman said. "So it's been special to be apart of something that's going to grow and become bigger. I'll be able to look back and tell people I was here when it first started."

Toledo scored the first run of the day on Sunday, hitting a home run in the second inning off Speckman.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior catcher Hayley Barrow and sophomore second baseman Ryleigh Fitzgerald each drove in a run to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead. Heading into the final inning, the Bulls could not hold onto the lead as Toledo tied the game on an infield single to force extra innings.

Speckman struggled in extras and gave up four runs in the eighth, including a three-run homerun to seal the victory for Toledo.

Although the ending on Senior Day was not what many of the players and fans desired, Gallardo was still proud of her team.

"It's bittersweet and I wish we got the win on Senior Day," Gallardo said. "You know I wouldn't trade anything for playing with my teammates today."

In their first game against Bowling Green, the Falcons started the first game strong by scoring three early runs in the third inning.

Luciano gave the Bulls some hope with an RBI single to left field in the bottom of the third inning. Bowling Green did not allow a Bulls comeback, as they scored three more runs including a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Buffalo lost the game 6-1 as it headed into the second game of the doubleheader.

Sophomore pitcher Nicole Aviles started the second game, but struggled early and was replaced by Ryder in the first inning.

Gallardo and freshman designated hitter Savanna Norcio both connected on solo homeruns in the bottom of the inning to cut the Bowling Green lead to just one.

A grand slam by Bowling Green in the second inning and two more runs in the third extended its lead to 9-2.

The Bulls rallied in the bottom of the fourth by scoring six runs. With the bases loaded set up by errors and walks, Ryder quickly unloaded them as she hit Buffalo's first grand slam of the season to bring the deficit within one run.

Buffalo eventually lost 12-11, unable to complete its comeback.

The Bulls' single win of the week came on Saturday against Toledo, as Speckman was back to starting on the mound leading the team to a 2-0 victory.

Speckman's complete game shutout included three strikeouts and she only allowed four hits. Barrow gave the Bulls an early lead with a solo homerun in the second inning. That was all the offense Speckman needed for the day.

"She's our ace," said head coach Trena Peel. "We know at this part of the season we have to play defense behind her. She's sore and fighting through some nagging injuries, but it's our job to score and play solid defense and if we do that we'll be very successful."

The Bulls finish their regular season on the road for the final six games. They will begin at Western Michigan (16-27, 7-7 MAC) on Friday at 1 p.m. in a doubleheader.

email: sports@ubspectrum.com