Toledo
Bulls Fall In Extra-Inning Affair At Toledo
4/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TOLEDO, OH - The University at Buffalo softball team got another outstanding effort from junior pitcher Tori Speckman on Sunday, but the offense stalled again as the Bulls fell, 2-1, in nine innings. UB is now 12-24 on the year and 5-7 in conference play.
UB got off to a quick start offensively as junior Sammi Gallardo led off the game with a home run to left field, but it would be Buffalo's only run of the game. For most of the afternoon it looked like the one run would hold up again as Speckman posted zeros for the first six innings, working out of a bases loaded jam in the second.
The Bulls had a runner in scoring position in the sixth looking to record an insurance run, but were unable to squeeze out that second run. The Rockets loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh looking to walk off with the victory. Speckman got the first batter to strike out, but the tying run came in to score during the next at bat on a fielder's choice. A fly out ended the inning and sent the Bulls to extra innings for the first time since Feb. 22.
The Bulls put runners on in the eighth and the ninth, but couldn't drive one in. The Rockets again loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth and the next Rocket batter hit a ground ball to short. After a quick bobble, the throw home was not in time as Toledo walked off with the victory.
"We again got the pitching performance needed to win in this league, but we struggled again offensively and in the field," said Teague. "We will continue to work on our approach at the plate this week and look forward to having some conference home games next weekend."
Speckman picked up the loss as she went 8.1 innings, allowing two runs, just one of those earned, and striking out three. The run allowed in the seventh was her first in her last 27 innings pitched. Junior Tori Pettine went 2-for-4 at the plate, picking up half of the team's hits. The other two came on the home run from Gallardo and an extra-inning double from freshman Ryleigh Fitzgerald.
UB heads south to Olean, NY on Tuesday afternoon for a doubleheader at St. Bonaventure. They return home for four MAC games this weekend.
