TAMPA, Fla. (March 14, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team split games in the first day of the USF Spring Break Classic on Tuesday night at the USF Softball Field, defeating the University at Buffalo, 6-3, and losing to Canisius College, 1-0, in eight innings.
In game one, Buffalo (5-12) came out aggressive in the first inning, opening up with a double and a sacrifice bunt to put a runner at third base with one out. A single scored Buffalo's first run and then it loaded up the bases and scored another run thanks to a base hit, 2-0. With two outs on the board and the bases still full, starter Danielle Urbanik was pulled in favor of Nicole Christensen, who struck out Kerry Cafazzo to end Buffalo's scoring chance.
Christie Chapman cut Buffalo's lead down to one run, 2-1, in the bottom of the first. After Samantha Ray drew a walk, Chapman tripled to left center, driving home the run.
USF (16-14) capitalized in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs to take a one-run lead, 4-3. The Bulls loaded up the bases, hitting a double and drawing two walks. With two outs, Carly Griffin came up to bat and knocked in three runs off a triple to left center.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, USF took advantage of Buffalo's outfield playing in, as Ray hit the ball past the centerfielder and up against the fence to drive in a RBI off a triple, 5-3.
With one swing of the bat freshman Jessica Landau gave USF a three-run lead, hitting a solo shot to left field ? the first of her career ? to make the score 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth.
Kasey Cash came into the game in the seventh inning and retired the side, picking up her first save of the year by retiring the side.
Christensen (1-1) picked up her first win of the season, coming into the game in relief in the first inning. In her five and one-third innings of work, the senior scattered three hits and allowed only one run while striking out four batters.
In game two, USF starter Cristi Ecks (7-7) pitched a stellar game for the Bulls against Canisius, scattering four hits while striking out 12 batters.
The game was scoreless as both teams couldn't bring a run home in seven innings. With international rules in effect in the eighth, which automatically puts a runner at second, the Bulls had an opportunity to score. A sacrifice bunt moved Chapman to third and Krista Holle got hit by a pitch and stole a base to put runners in scoring position with one out. Canisius reliever Courtney Piar (3-4) got the best of the last two batters, forcing Ashley Bullion to pop up in foul territory and Griffin to strikeout.
All Canisius (6-9) needed was a base hit to score the runner placed at second base and Rachelle Barrientos delivered, hitting a single to shallow right field for the win, 1-0.
USF did have its chances to score, tallying five hits and four walks, but left 11 on base. Canisius only left four on base.
The Bulls will face Fordham at 4 p.m. and Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the final day of the USF Spring Break Classic.
