Recapping events from Sunday, March 16 - Sunday, March 23, 2003

SOFTBALL (7-3) - Bengals Open with Best Start since 1996

Buffalo State opened its season on its annual trip to Ft. Myers, FL this past week with a 7-3 record after opening the campaign with just a 2-2 mark.

The Bengals opened with Aurora (IL) on Sunday, and could not overcome an early 3-0 deficit as they fell 4-3. Stephanie Menth (Tonawanda/Tonawanda) led the offense going 3-for-4 with a double. Freshman Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Heidi Rammacher (Angola/Lakeshore) was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Tracy Urban (Lancaster/Lancaster) took the loss on the mound, throwing five innings and surrendering just five hits and one earned run.

The Bengals rebounded in the second game on Sunday, as they defeated Wisconsin-Oshkosh 3-2 in eight innings with Brooke Matheis' RBI single. She was 3-for-4 on the day, and her twin sister Lindsey Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South) was 2-for-4. Elizabeth Beiter (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) recorded the complete game win, scattering six hits.

Buffalo State exploded for nine runs in the first inning against Dickinson (PA) on Monday, en route to a 10-2 in five innings. Junior transfer Janelle Mahl (Niagara Falls/Niagara Wheatfield) paced the Bengals attack, going 3-for-4 with four RBI. Menth was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, and Tiffany Ciolek (Great Valley/Salamanca) was 1-for-2 with a two-run homerun. Freshman Jennifer Ryan (Jordan/Jordan-Elbridge) earned the victory in her first collegiate start allowing three hits in four innings of work.

Division II Franklin Pierce (NH) evened the Bengals' record in Monday's second game, handing Buffalo State a 3-1 defeat. Brooke Matheis was 1-for-3 and Alicia Girard (Glens Falls/Glens Falls) drove in Mahl for the Bengals only run. Melissa Balsavage (Depew/Depew) took the loss on the mound surrendering five hits and two earned runs.

On Tuesday, the Bengals regrouped again, stunning Division II North Dakota 4-1. The outfield tandem of Menth and Mahl led the Bengals offense again, both going 2-for-3. Beiter was credited with the win, hurling four innings of scoreless relief.

The Bengals faced another stern test in the day's second game, and proved up to the challenge again, downing preseason No. 9 in the nation Bethany (WV) 2-1 in eight innings. Rammacher was 2-for-4 at the plate, including recording the game-winning RBI as she drove in Menth in the bottom of the eight inning. Brooke Matheis was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Balsavage was excellent on the mound allowing seven hits and no earned runs in a complete game victory.

The hits came early and often in Thursday's morning contest, as Buffalo State pounded Wisconsin-Stevens Point 21-6 in five innings. Ciolek broke out with a 4-for-5 performance, including a pair of homeruns and five RBI. Mahl was also 4-for-5 and belted a homerun of her own. Menth was 4-for-4 with a walk, and Nicole Willats (Tonawanda/Sweet Home) went 3-for-4 with a homerun and a career-high six RBI. Balsavage picked up the win throwing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Ciolek's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Bengals their fourth straight victory, in the afternoon contest, as they slipped past Suffolk (MA) 5-4. Rammacher went 2-for-3 including her first career homerun. Mahl stayed hot, going 1-for-3 with a homerun and two RBI. Balsavage earned her third straight win, allowing four hits and no earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work.

On Friday, the Bengals fell to Plymouth State (NH) in the morning game, 3-2 in eight innings. Rammacher was 1-for-3 and hit her second homerun in as many games, and Urban was 2-for-3 with a double. Beiter pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and two runs, just one earned, for the no decision, as Balsavage was saddled with the loss in relief.

Buffalo State wrapped up in spring trip in winning fashion, as it defeated Grinnell (IA) 3-2. Urban carried the hot stick again, as she was 2-for-3 with a double and all three RBI. She also pitched five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits. Balsavage earned her fourth victory in two innings of scoreless one-hit relief. Ciolek was 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored.

The Bengals 7-3 mark to open the season is the team's best since going 9-1 to open the 1996 season. The Bengals won the SUNYAC Championship that year.

Who's Next?

Buffalo State is slated to open the home portion of its schedule on Thursday against Penn State Behrend. The doubleheader, scheduled for 3 and 5 pm starts, will mark the first games played on the Bengals new field.

Leading the Pack?

Senior leftfielder Stephanie Menth (Tonawanda/Tonawanda) has led the Bengals offense over the first 10 games, posting a .500 batting average and a .641 on-base percentage, bolstered by a team-high 11 walks. Centerfielder Janelle Mahl (Niagara Falls/Niagara Wheatfield) has emerged as the top-newcomer, as the transfer from Ashland (OH) has hit .371 and posted a pair of homeruns and nine RBI. Sophomore Melissa Balsavage (Depew/Depew) has led the group on the mound, posting a 4-2 record and a 0.50 ERA in 28 innings of work.