UB softball (12-35, 6-17 MAC) dropped two of three games over the weekend against the Northern Illinois (NIU) Huskies (24-24, 13-12 MAC). UB split two games of a Saturday doubleheader then lost the series finale — the final home game of the season — 2-6 on Sunday afternoon.
In Saturday’s first game, UB narrowly lost 3-2. Star Bulls pitcher and senior Alexis Lucyshyn (6-17) allowed three earned runs in her seven-inning start. Freshman outfielder Mia Mitchell led UB with two hits, two RBIs and one run scored. The Bulls couldn’t muster any other offense, and Northern Illinois scored in the fourth and sixth innings to secure victory.
In game No. 2, the Bulls offense exploded in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. Freshman firstbasewoman Abbey Nagel (one RBI), Mitchell (two RBI) and freshman catcher Lyla Ambrose (one RBI) all drove in runs in the first frame. That offense proved to be all UB needed, as the team rode a complete game from junior pitcher Julia Tarantino to the victory on the Bulls’ senior day.
The rubber match of the series, and final home game of the Bulls’ season, took place on Sunday at Nan Harvey Field. Although the Bulls matched NIU’s two-run first inning, the Huskies added two more in both the second and seventh innings. Lucyshyn’s rough series on the mound continued, as she allowed four earned runs. Lucyshyn and junior infielder Madison Fermimen both hit home runs, scoring the Bulls’ only RBIs.
UB dropped to 5-9 at home and 12-35 overall. The Bulls matched their highest loss total since going 18-35 in 2021. The team currently sits second-to-last in the Mid-American Conference standings.
UB will play its final series of the season next weekend at Ohio (29-19, 19-7 MAC).
Ryan Tantalo is the senior sports editor and can be reached at ryan.tantalo@ubspectrum.com
Ryan Tantalo is the managing editor of The Spectrum. He previously served as senior sports editor. Outside of the newsroom, Ryan spends his time announcing college hockey games, golfing, skiing and reading.
