CLERMONT, Fla. – Sophomore
Abigail Kruse (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville South) hit the game-tying and go-ahead runs for the Buffalo State softball team, as it opened the season with an 8-3 victory over Clarkson in the season opener, before falling 7-2 to Hamline in the nightcap Friday evening.
GAME 1 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 8, Clarkson – 3 (8 innings)
LOCATION: Hancock Softball Complex – Clermont, Fla.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (1-0), Clarkson (1-5)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Buffalo State got off to a slow start in its season opener, trailing 2-0 until the sixth inning.
- Caitlyn Parsons (Webster/Webster Thomas) cut the deficit in half with an RBI single in the top of the sixth.
- Kruse then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Samamtha Kelly (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore East) to tie the game at two.
- Clarkson had a chance to win in the seventh with runners on first and third, but Bengals starter Carli Bogue (Elba, N.Y./Elba) struck out Emma Sabourin looking to send the game into extras.
- Kruse opened the eighth with an infield single with the bases loaded as 'State took a 3-2 lead.
- Consecutive walks gave the Bengals a 5-2 lead, before Kayla Wolinski () broke things open with a bases-clearing, three-RBI triple, completing a six-run eighth.
- Clarkson scored a run, but Bogue closed the door in the bottom of the frame to earn the victory.
- Kruse finished with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate, driving in two runs.
- Benton and Parsons both finished with two hits, with Benton scoring twice.
- Bogue went the distance, allowing two earned on five hits, striking out two and walking three to earn the win (1-0).
FOR THE FOES
- Olivia Zoeller, Sarah Vaccaro, and Sabourin each drove in a run with hits.
- Riley Page took the loss in relief (0-2), allowing five earned runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
- Devin Fitzpatrick allowed one earned run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings pitched as the starter.
GAME 2 BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Hamline – 7, Buffalo State – 2
LOCATION: Hancock Softball Complex – Clermont, Fla.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (1-1), Hamline (5-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A pair of 'State miscues in the first inning led to a pair of Hamline runs in the opening inning.
- The Bengals struck back, as Parsons lined a single into center field, scoring Benton from second to cut the deficit in half.
- Buffalo State tied the game at two in the fourth, as an RBI single by Sarah Congelosi (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) brought Savannah Sirico (Mount Marion, N.Y./Saugerties) home with two outs.
- Hamline took the lead in the fifth, as RBI knocks by Theresa Klinnert and Gabby Tuhy gave the Pipers a 4-2 lead.
- The Pipers added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh inning to pull away with the victory.
- Congelosi led the Bengals with two hits, driving in the aforementioned run.
- Olivia Carr (West Falls, N.Y./East Aurora) was the pitcher of record (0-1), allowing just two earned runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
- Ella Susi (Lakeview, N.Y./Frontier) allowed three earned on one hit in 1 1/3 innings of relief.
FOR THE FOES
- Tuhy, Klinnert, and Jenna Rubbelke each led the Pipers with two hits.
- Klinnert earned the win in the circle (3-1), scattering two earned runs and six hits in a complete game effort.
UP NEXT
The Bengals continue the Florida trip with contests against Augustana and Hamilton on Sunday.