Toledo
Bulls Sweep Toledo To Earn Second Ever Trip to MAC Tournament
5/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team wrapped up the regular season with a doubleheader against Toledo, sweeping the Rockets to earn their second ever trip to the Mid-American Conference tournament. Prior to the games, the Bulls honored their four seniors, as Sharon Barr, Kristen Gallipani, Jaime Sheffler and Katie Ivancich all participated in their final game at Nan Harvey Field. After the 12-7 and 9-4 wins, the Bulls finish the regular season with a record of 21-32 overall, 9-13 MAC.
The Bulls started off game one with an eight-run scoring spree, to take an 8-0 lead after the first inning. It started with a pair of Toledo errors, but Lindsay Hampton, Sheffler, Gallipani, Ashley Bertot, Taylor Franich, and Kristin Waldron all earned RBIs. The Rockets got on the board with a run in the top of the second, but Hampton earned another RBI in the bottom of the second to counter their score. Toledo staged a comeback, scoring five runs in the top of the fourth, but the Bulls held on, scoring three more runs, including a home run from Alex Bejarano to secure the win. Hampton led the team with three RBIs, while Alyssa Ward tallied a team-high three hits in the game.
The Bulls saw success in game two as well, putting up a score in every inning except the first. The Buffalo scoring was highlighted by a two-run home run from Jessica Griffin in the bottom of the third inning and another homer from Ward in the bottom of the fifth. Franich had three RBIs to lead the Bulls in game two. Bertot collected three stolen bases on the day, giving her 26 for the season. The freshman is already ranked third on UB's all-time stolen base list.
Barr picked up the win in game two, while Diaz earned the save as she came in for relief. They combined for four strikeouts.
With the sweep today, the Bulls earn the final spot in the MAC Tournament as the number seven seed. The Bulls will face Ball State on Wednesday, May 12 in Akron, Ohio in the tournament's opening round. The Bulls' last trip to the tournament was in 2005, which was their first ever appearance.
