CLERMONT, Fla. – Errors plagued Buffalo State (4-6) as the Bengals fell 7-5 to the University of Northwestern Ohio and 8-6 to No. 5 Wisconsin-Whitewater on their final day of play at the National Training Center.
In game one, the University of Northwestern Ohio jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning after three big hits. The racers capitalized on a Buffalo State error in the following inning to add two more runs to their lead. Danielle Szymkowiak (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) singled up the middle in the top of the third to give the Bengals their first runs of the game. Both Kate Brownell (Batavia, NY/Oakfield-Alabama) and Taylor Swiatek (East Aurora, NY/Orchard Park) scored on the play. In the fourth inning, Buffalo State tied the game at four after a double from Stephanie Novo (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) scored Megan Mingle (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South), who reached on an error from the Racer's third baseman. Novo scored on the next play with a grounder to the shortstop from Sarah Gorski (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew).The University of Northwestern Ohio regained the lead in the fifth after a costly throwing error from the Bengals. Trailing 7-4 heading into the top of the seventh, Buffalo State managed to score one run, but could not find the offense they need for the win.
Szymkowiak finished the game 3 for 4 with two RBI's, while Gorski went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Alexis Haley (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) recorded the loss in the circle. She pitched all six innings, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts.
Against the top ranked Warhawks, the Bengals jumped out to an early lead. Novo started things off after reaching on an error from the Wisconsin-Whitewater third baseman. Three batters later, Brownell reached after being hit by a pitch for the third time of the day. Joanna Bardak (Amherst, NY/Amherst) stepped up on the next play and ripped a double to center field, scoring both runners and putting Buffalo State up 2-0. In the second, the Warhawks cut the Bengals lead in half after scoring on a Buffalo State fielding error. The following inning, Wisconsin-Whitewater added three more runs to take the lead, which it would not lose. The Warhawks added two more runs in the top of the fourth to go up 8-4. Buffalo State tallied two runs in the final inning of the game and got Wisconsin-Whitewater on their toes, but were not able to register enough to capture the win.
Jean Stahl (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) led the Bengal offense, finishing 2 for 4 with a run. Brownell finished 1 for 2 with a run and an RBI, while Novo went 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI.
Maddie Coneys (Clifton Park, NY/Catholic Central) recorded the loss in the circle. She pitched the first 2.1 innings of the game, allowing four runs on two hits with two strikeouts. Alison Novak (Amherst, NY/Williamsville North) closed out the final 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Buffalo State returns to action back in New York at Bengal Field on Friday with a SUNYAC matchup against Brockport starting at 3 p.m.
