Softball Season Ends in NCAA Regional Championship Game

Nicole Sabuda blasted a two-run homer as part of a five-run fifth inning in the first game

ITHACA, NY—Buffalo State's (33-14) record-setting season came to a close one game short of reaching its first Division III World Series at the NCAA Regional today at Ithaca's Kostrinsky Field. After defeating Cortland (44-7) 6-2 to force a deciding game, the Bengals fell 6-0.

Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) blasted two-run home run as part of a five-run fifth inning to help Buffalo State force a winner-take-all final in the opener with a 6-2 victory. Julie Joyce (E. Pembroke/Pembroke) went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs. Sara Morse (Painted Post/Corning West) was 1 for 2 with a walk, an RBI and a run. Jenna Frieling (E. Amherst/Williamsville North) scattered 10 hits in the win. Buffalo State had seven hits.

Cortland loaded the bases with no outs in the third and scored on a sacrifice fly at the wall in center field for the game's first run. The Bengals escaped without suffering more damage, turning a double play, aided by runner interference. Buffalo State answered with an RBI single by Nicole Maher (Waterloo/Waterloo) in the bottom of the inning to even the score. The Red Dragons loaded the bases with no outs again in the fifth, and once again only plated a single run. The Bengals responded once again in the bottom of the inning, this time plating five runs and taking a lead they would not relinquish. Buffalo State evened the score on an RBI single up the middle by Joyce, and then pulled ahead on an RBI single by Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/Maryvale). Sabuda's two-run homer pushed the lead to 5-2. Buffalo State then loaded the bases and scored on a walk by Morse, who started the inning with a single.

Cortland grabbed momentum early in the final game with a three-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the first inning. Cortland added single runs in the second and third innings and then limited the Bengals to just two hits in the game to cruise to the win. The Red Dragons added an insurance run in the sixth.

Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) started the game, but threw just 1 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with one strikeout. Frieling pitched 5 1/3 innings in relief, allowing just four hits and two runs.

Buffalo State ended the season with a school record 33 victories.

Sabuda, Frieling, Marissa Mariano (Williamsville/Mt. St. Mary) and #Kyrstin Lekki (N. Tonawanda/Niagara-Wheatfield) were all selected to the All-Tournament Team.

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