After claiming victories in its last seven games of the season, the UB softball team saw its winning streak come to an abrupt end on the road in a three-game series against Mid-American Conference foe Bowling Green.
In Saturday's doubleheader, the Falcons (26-26 overall, 11-8 MAC) defeated the Bulls (17-26, 8-8 MAC) 1-0 in eight innings and 8-0 in five innings while in Sunday's single game, Bowling Green scored a 2-1 victory over Buffalo.
"We have been hitting the ball the last couple of games and we have been winning," said senior centerfielder Ann Magur. "We didn't hit the ball this weekend and we weren't successful."
Saturday
Game one
BGU 1, UB 0 (eight innings)
Despite an early first inning threat in which the Bulls were able to stud the corners with base runners, the Falcons escaped the jam by picking off UB's Marcy Hansen for the first out of the inning and Bowling Green's ace Liz Vrabel fired back-to-back strikeouts to end the first inning.
The Falcons' mounted an offensive strike of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning, when with just one out, BGU placed runners on both second and third base. The Bulls quickly ended the Falcons' threat, however, as Buffalo pitcher Sophie Barstad forced the next two Bowling Green hitters into hitting ground balls to end the inning. With any semblance of offense by either team seemingly absent, the game was forced into extra innings with the score set at 0-0.
With one out in the top of the eighth inning, Julie Hibner punched an infield single to reach base for the Bulls, but that was as close as the Bulls would get to scoring, as Vrabel took the next two batters on her own.
A Bowling Green single, followed by a sacrifice bunt put two runners on base for the Falcons and Allison Vallas' single to center field proved to be the game-winner, as Kari Steigerwald plated the only run BGU would need to claim to the win.
Barstad continued her strong antics in the circle, allowing just four hits while striking out four in eight complete innings for Buffalo.
Game two
BGU 8, UB 0 (five innings)
While Buffalo struggled at the plate - the Bulls were only able to produce one hit on a single by Hansen in the top of the first inning - the Falcons went on an offensive tear. Bowling Green hammered out seven hits - including four in the fourth inning and three in fifth inning-to ultimately seal the five-inning mercy rule victory over the Bulls, 8-0.
Senior Stacey Evans took the loss on the mound for the Bulls, allowing seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Sunday
BGU 2, UB 1
After adding two to the loss column on Saturday, it appeared as though the Bulls entered Sunday's competition with a heightened offensive urgency, as leadoff hitter Mary Russell blasted a double to left-center field to begin the game. After Russell stole third base, Hibner sent a single to right field to give the Bulls an early 1-0 lead over the Falcons.
With a perfect game intact through three, pitcher Barstad gave up a duo of singles in the bottom of the fourth, and with two BGU runners on base, Gina Rango tied the game for the Falcons with a long double to right field.
With one out and the game-winning run on third base, the Falcons' Jeanie Baca hit a long fly ball to center field which was caught for the second out of the inning. Despite registering as a Buffalo out, the ball was hit far enough to allow the BGU runner on third base to score, giving the Falcons a 2-1 lead.
"We got beat on two fly balls (on Saturday), we're going to be fine," said a doleful Magur. "I think Vrabel threw really well against us (Saturday) and on (Sunday) we just tightened up at the plate."
The Bulls mounted a minor challenge in the fifth inning, as Buffalo had two runners in scoring position, but was ultimately unable to capitalize on the offensive opportunity.
Barstad, despite picking up her second loss of the weekend, was again solid on the mound for the Bulls, allowing only three hits over seven complete innings of work.
"I felt really confident, our defense was really solid," said Barstad. "I felt good in both games, but it also seemed like we weren't hitting, period."
The Bulls are back in action tomorrow, as they travel to face local rival Niagara. The doubleheader against the non-league opponent Purple Eagles is set to commence at 3 p.m.
