CORTLAND, NY—Buffalo State (9-10/4-4) attempted to battle back twice, but came up short in both halves of a SUNYAC doubleheader at Cortland (15-7/5-1) today, falling 6-5 and 12-9.
The Bengals produced 11 hits compared to just seven by the Red Dragons in the opening game, but could not complete a late rally.
Stephanie Novo (Cheektowaga/Depew) led Buffalo State at the plate going 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.
Sarah Gorski (Cheektowaga/Depew) and
Danielle Szymkowiak (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) each went 2 for 4.
Maddie Coneys (Clifton Park/Catholic Central) took the loss, throwing 3 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs.
Alison Novak (Amherst/Williamsville North) allowed two hits and no runs in relief.
Cortland jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but the Bengals evened the score at 2-2 in the top of the fourth. The Red Dragons responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, including a three-run home run. Buffalo State closed the gap to one with a three-run fifth. In the seventh inning, the Bengals advanced the potential tying run to third with two outs, but the game ended on a called strike three.
Novo continued to swing a hot bat in the late game, finishing 2 for 5 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Joanna Bardak (Amherst/Amherst) was 4 for 5 with a double, and
Alexis Haley (Rochester/Aquinas) was 3 for 4 with a run scored.
Taylor Swiatek (East Aurora/Orchard Park) and Szymkowiak added two hits each.
Melissa Magiera (Williamsville/Williamsville South) chipped in a pinch hit home run, and
Jean Stahl (West Seneca/West Seneca East) had a double and two RBIs.
Buffalo State outhit the Red Dragons again, 16-13, but could not overcome five errors in the field. Haley took the loss, allowing nine hits and nine runs (only two earned) in 3 2/3 innings.
Jordan Sarat (Caledonia/Caledonia-Mumford) gave up four hits and three runs (one earned) in 2 1/3 innings of relief.
Buffalo State took a 6-2 lead in the top of a wild fourth inning, scoring six runs on five hits, including a three-run shot by Novo. The Red Dragons answered immediately in the bottom of the frame however, plating seven runs on just four hits and three Buffalo State errors. Cortland took advantage of more defensive miscues, pushing the score to 12-6 in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits and two more Bengal errors. The Bengals rallied again, plating three runs in the seventh, including two on Magiera's first collegiate home run, but could not complete the comeback.
Buffalo State will visit Oswego tomorrow for another SUNYAC doubleheader starting at noon.
