BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo State (16-4/6-0) relied on its SUNYAC-leading defense to help win a pair of conference games today at Bengal Field, defeating Oneonta (9-13/2-6) 2-1 and 6-1.

All three runs in the opener were scored in the first inning. Oneonta took a 1-0 lead on a Michelle Norwich (Mohawk/Mohawk) RBI single, although two pitches earlier she came within inches of hitting a three-run home run with a blast that sailed just outside the left field foul pole. Buffalo State answered quickly in the bottom half of the inning, converting three hits into a pair of runs. Neither team could generate any offense the rest of the way, as Oneonta scattered just three more hits, and Buffalo State did not record a single hit after the opening inning. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/Frontier) earned the win for the Bengals, allowing five hits and struck out five. She was also 1 for 2 at the plate with an RBI. Nicole Sabuda (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) was also 1 for 2 for the Bengals with a double and an RBI. Nicole Marshall (N. Babylon/N. Babylon) took the hard-luck loss for the Red Dragons, surrendering just three hits and striking out three. Allison Bandos (Hagaman/Amsterdam) was 2 for 3 with a double for Oneonta.

After four scoreless innings in the second game, Buffalo State blew the game open with six runs in the final three innings. Oneonta scored its lone run in the fifth. Sabuda paced the Bengals’ offense, going 2 for 4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. Sabuda also registered the win, scattering five hits and allowing no earned runs. Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) provided offensive support, going 2 for 3, and Jessica Mooney (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) had an RBI single. Bandos was 1 for 3 with an RBI for Oneonta. Kathleen Wood (Selden/Newfield) suffered the loss, allowing seven hits and five earned runs with six strikeouts.

Buffalo State will travel to Geneseo on Tuesday for another SUNYAC twin bill, beginning at 3 p.m. Oneonta will host SUNYIT on Tuesday.