Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Buffalo
Softball Splits a Pair with Buffalo
4/18/2009 6:46:58 PM | Softball
Eagles and Bulls take part in “Knock Cancer Out of the Park”
Box scores: Game 1. Game 2.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University softball team split a doubleheader against the University at Buffalo, 10-1 and 2-6, Saturday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference cross-divisional contest on Knock Cancer Out of the Park Day at Varsity Field. In the opener, the Eagles fell behind early before roaring back with 10 unanswered runs to claim a 10-1 six inning victory. In back-and-fourth nightcap, a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning by Erin Zilka proved to be the difference as the Bull posted a 6-2 victory.
The Eagles are now 16-26 overall and 4-10 in league action, while the Bulls improve to 21-20 overall and 4-10 in the MAC. The game also marked the return to former EMU assistant coach Jennifer Teague to Ypsilanti. Teague is in her first season as the head coach of the Bulls after spending three seasons as Karen Baird's top assistant.
Sophomore Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington) paced the Eagles' offense on the day, going a combined 4-for-6 with four runs scored, three RBI and a home run. Freshman Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek) also notched a combined four hit afternoon with three RBI.
Sophomore Jaclyn Caro (Chino, Calif.-St. Lucy's Priory) tossed every EMU pitch inside the circle on the afternoon, racking up five strikeouts in each game.
In the opener, Buffalo got on the board just three batters in as Lindsey Hampton and Zilka connected on back-to-back doubles to right center to take the early 1-0 edge.
The Eagles bounced back in the bottom of the second to take a 2-1 lead despite only one hit in the inning. Skodinski led off the frame with a double off the center field wall and then advance to third on a wild pitch. Senior Heather Han (Lafayette, Ind.-McCutcheon) followed with a walk and then stole second base. Another wild pitch plated Skodinski to tie the contest at 1-1. Han would score two pitches later on a sacrifice fly by freshman Kelsey Green (Burr Oak, Mich.-Burr Oak) to make it 2-1.
Eastern would tack on two more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to up the advantage to five, 6-1.
Then in the sixth the EMU offense would explode for four to inflict the run rule and end the contest an inning early. Caro would get things started after reaching on an error by the shortstop. A Lauren DeLapaz (Plymouth, Mich.-Canton) single followed and then it looked like the Bulls might get out of the inning with a consecutive strikeouts. But Jenny Sheherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) would single through the left side combined a fielding miscue by the left fielder to score the pair to make it 8-1. Then Skodinaki ended the game with a two-run walk-off home run to left field for 10-1 victory.
The second game proved to be a pitchers duel with Caro and the Bull's Terese Diaz holding the offense at bay. UB was able to push across a run in the top of the fourth though, when Diaz singled to right field to score Kristen Waldron and make it 1-0.
Things remained that way until the bottom on the sixth inning when again the Buffalo defense opened the door for the EMU offense. After reaching on a fielding error by Diaz, freshman Jessica Richards (Canton, Ohio-Jackson) would come round to score and tie the contest at 1-1. EMU would push across another run to take the 2-1 advantage but would leave bases loaded as Diaz was able to work out of the jam.
However, the Bulls would not go quietly in the seventh. Kristen Gallipani would smash the first pitch of the at bat over the leftfield foul pole to again knot the ballgame.
It remained that way until the ninth inning when the Bulls would again display some power at the plate. Caro would work herself into a bases load, two out jam with Zilka at the plate. Down to her final strike, Zilka found the offering to her liking and drove the ball over the leftfield fence for the grand slam home run and the 6-2 victory.
Following the twinbill, student-athletes from both teams participated in a Home Run Derby that raised money for the American Cancer Society. Donations were made for home runs per player, for the entire team or by a flat amount.
The Eagles head back out of the road next weekend with a four-game swing beginning Friday, April 24, with a doubleheader at instate rival Western Michigan University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Green and White then trek to DeKalb, Ill. for a pair of single-games Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. CST and Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. CST.
