Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, April 6
Varsity Field
2 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
10-18-1, 1-4
7
vs
8
Buffalo
7-22, 2-5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Buffalo
1
2
0
0
0
2
3
8
14
2
Eastern Michigan
0
1
0
1
0
4
1
7
11
4
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Defensive Miscues Hinder Eastern's Comeback Attempt, 8-7
4/6/2013 5:38:00 PM | Softball
The Eagles fell at home, 8-7, against Buffalo
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - The Eastern Michigan University softball team (10-18-1, 1-4 MAC) came up a little short in what turned into a nail biter at Varsity Field. The University at Buffalo Bulls (7-22, 2-5 MAC) beat the Eagles by a score of 8-7 in the series opener Saturday, April 6.
The Eagles' bats were not quiet throughout the game as they tallied 11 hits in the contest. Abby Davidson (Westerville, Ohio-Olentangy Orange) led the Green and White going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored while Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) added a 2-for-4 performance with her fifth round-tripper of 2013 and a pair of runs scored. Amanda Stanton (Homer Glen, Ill.-Lockport Township) added a triple, three runs scored and an RBI in a 2-for-3 day.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) got the start for the Green and White, but managed just 1.1 innings of work after being touched up for three unearned runs on five hits. Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) tossed the next 3.2 innings and allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts. Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) tossed the final two innings and was charged with the loss. Wells (0-9) surrendered four unearned runs on four hits.
Buffalo started the first inning by getting a pair of base hits, but Courtney Loe (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford (West Liberty)) was able to make two heads up plays and catch both base runners attempting to steal, clearing the bases. A walk and a single later, Anissa Pinedo hit a line shot into shallow left field to bring Alyassa Ward home the first score of the game, to put Buffalo up 1-0 early.
UB's Ryleigh Fitzgerald laid down the sacrifice bunt to move to Bulls into scoring position in the top of the second. A passed ball gave pinch runner Kenzie Koch an opening to come home to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. A catcher interference call allowed the Bulls to score another run and get on-top of the Eagles 3-0.
In the bottom of the second, Loe smashed a groundball through the right side and a miscue by the Bulls' right fielder allowed Stanton to score after singling earlier in the inning. After two innings, EMU trailed 3-1.
Rich started to get it going in the forth, dealing a strike out and luring two Buffalo batters into easy ground outs to quickly end the first half of the inning. Then the offense provided her with a run when Davidson knocked one down the right field line to bring in Stanton. Davidison's RBI cut the Bull's lead to 3-2.
With a 3-1 count in the top of the sixth, Sammi Gallardo homered over the left field fence to push Buffalo's lead to 4-2 and end Rich's day in the circle. Wells came in got two quick outs but a defensive miscue allowed Buffalo to add another run making the score 5-2 going into the bottom of the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth the Eastern bats came to life. With a full count and one on, Stanton hit a triple off the right field fence, scoring Coquillard. Loe then sent Stanton home launching a 1-2 pitch over the left fielder's head to earn a double and bring the Eagles to within one, 5-4. Davidson then tied it up hitting a base hit line that the UB third baseman tried to make a diving stop on but was just out of reach. Davidson's single brought home Elaine Whitbeck (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa), who was pinch running for Loe. Davidson advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches by the Bulls before an error by Buffalo allowed a Blaharski grounder to turn into another Eagle tally, putting them up 6-5
In the top of the seventh with one on, Gallardo hit a triple that had to potential to bring in the tying run, but a throw from freshman leftfielder Mady Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan) turned that possible run into an out at home plate. After a base hit and then an intentional walk of Ward the bases were loaded to set the Green and White up for a choice of double plays to end the game. However, a dropped throw at home plate tied up the game and a two RBI double by Tori Pettine put the visitors back out in front, 8-6.
Coquillard refused to let her team to go out without a fight, sending a 1-2 pitch yard to position the Eagles back in striking distance, 8-7. The Eagles however were unable to score another run and send the game into extra innings.
Eastern will attempt to avenge the Saturday loss tomorrow, April 7, at 1 p.m. when Buffalo returns to Varsity Field for the final game of the series.
The Eagles' bats were not quiet throughout the game as they tallied 11 hits in the contest. Abby Davidson (Westerville, Ohio-Olentangy Orange) led the Green and White going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored while Nellie Coquillard (Niles, Mich.-Niles) added a 2-for-4 performance with her fifth round-tripper of 2013 and a pair of runs scored. Amanda Stanton (Homer Glen, Ill.-Lockport Township) added a triple, three runs scored and an RBI in a 2-for-3 day.
Jenna Ignowski (Niles, Mich.-Niles) got the start for the Green and White, but managed just 1.1 innings of work after being touched up for three unearned runs on five hits. Lindsay Rich (Perrysburg, Ohio-Perrysburg) tossed the next 3.2 innings and allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts. Lauren Wells (Lowell, Ind.-Lowell) tossed the final two innings and was charged with the loss. Wells (0-9) surrendered four unearned runs on four hits.
Buffalo started the first inning by getting a pair of base hits, but Courtney Loe (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford (West Liberty)) was able to make two heads up plays and catch both base runners attempting to steal, clearing the bases. A walk and a single later, Anissa Pinedo hit a line shot into shallow left field to bring Alyassa Ward home the first score of the game, to put Buffalo up 1-0 early.
UB's Ryleigh Fitzgerald laid down the sacrifice bunt to move to Bulls into scoring position in the top of the second. A passed ball gave pinch runner Kenzie Koch an opening to come home to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. A catcher interference call allowed the Bulls to score another run and get on-top of the Eagles 3-0.
In the bottom of the second, Loe smashed a groundball through the right side and a miscue by the Bulls' right fielder allowed Stanton to score after singling earlier in the inning. After two innings, EMU trailed 3-1.
Rich started to get it going in the forth, dealing a strike out and luring two Buffalo batters into easy ground outs to quickly end the first half of the inning. Then the offense provided her with a run when Davidson knocked one down the right field line to bring in Stanton. Davidison's RBI cut the Bull's lead to 3-2.
With a 3-1 count in the top of the sixth, Sammi Gallardo homered over the left field fence to push Buffalo's lead to 4-2 and end Rich's day in the circle. Wells came in got two quick outs but a defensive miscue allowed Buffalo to add another run making the score 5-2 going into the bottom of the sixth.
In the bottom of the sixth the Eastern bats came to life. With a full count and one on, Stanton hit a triple off the right field fence, scoring Coquillard. Loe then sent Stanton home launching a 1-2 pitch over the left fielder's head to earn a double and bring the Eagles to within one, 5-4. Davidson then tied it up hitting a base hit line that the UB third baseman tried to make a diving stop on but was just out of reach. Davidson's single brought home Elaine Whitbeck (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa), who was pinch running for Loe. Davidson advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches by the Bulls before an error by Buffalo allowed a Blaharski grounder to turn into another Eagle tally, putting them up 6-5
In the top of the seventh with one on, Gallardo hit a triple that had to potential to bring in the tying run, but a throw from freshman leftfielder Mady Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan) turned that possible run into an out at home plate. After a base hit and then an intentional walk of Ward the bases were loaded to set the Green and White up for a choice of double plays to end the game. However, a dropped throw at home plate tied up the game and a two RBI double by Tori Pettine put the visitors back out in front, 8-6.
Coquillard refused to let her team to go out without a fight, sending a 1-2 pitch yard to position the Eagles back in striking distance, 8-7. The Eagles however were unable to score another run and send the game into extra innings.
Eastern will attempt to avenge the Saturday loss tomorrow, April 7, at 1 p.m. when Buffalo returns to Varsity Field for the final game of the series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: AVILES, Nicole (4-2)
L: Wells, Lauren (0-9)
S: SPECKMAN, Tori (3)
Batting:
2B: WARD, Alyssa 1 ; PETTINE, Tori 1
HR: GALLARDO, Sammi 1
RBI: GALLARDO, Sammi 1 ; PETTINE, Tori 2 ; GRIFFIN, Jessica 1
SH: FITZGERALD, Ryleigh 1
Base Running:
RUNS: GALLARDO, Sammi 2 ; CURTISS, Alexis 1 ; WARD, Alyssa 2 ; RYDER, Heather 1 ; KOCH, Kenzie 1 ; NEVEZ, Karly 1
SB: GALLARDO, Sammi 2 ; FITZGERALD, Ryleigh 1
CS: GALLARDO, Sammi 1 ; CURTISS, Alexis 1 ; LUCIANO, Holly 1
Batting:
2B: Blaharski, Katy 1 ; Herron, Amanda 1 ; Loe, Courtney 1 ; Davidson, Abby 1
3B: Stanton, Amanda 1
HR: Coquillard, Nellie 1
RBI: Coquillard, Nellie 1 ; Stanton, Amanda 1 ; Loe, Courtney 1 ; Davidson, Abby 2
SH: Lucas, Jenn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coquillard, Nellie 2 ; Stanton, Amanda 3 ; Whitbeck, Elaine 1 ; Davidson, Abby 1
SB: Stanton, Amanda 1
HBP: Duffy, Aoife 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
3
H
2
RBI
1
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
Thank You, Team 38
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Saturday, February 24
Closing Out a Legacy: Michelle Kriegshauser
Thursday, May 18
EMU Softball Signs Alyssa Feiler
Saturday, March 25