Recapping events from Monday, March 24 - Sunday, March 30, 2003

SOFTBALL (8-4) - Buffalo State Opens New Field with Mixed Results

Buffalo State opened its new softball facility on Tuesday with a split against Penn State Behrend, winning the first game 12-8, before dropping the nightcap 6-3.

In the first contest, the Lions shocked the Bengals scoring six runs in the top of the first inning. Buffalo State started to chip away at the deficit scoring three runs in the bottom of the second, but still trailed 8-5 after five innings. The Bengals bats were officially revived in the sixth inning, however, as they scored seven runs on seven hits and held on for the 12-8 victory. Heidi Rammacher (Angola/Lakeshore) led the Bengals offense, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a double. Nicole Willats (Tonawanda/Sweet Home) was 1-for-3 with four RBI, and Stephanie Menth (Tonawanda/Tonawanda), Brooke Matheis (Hamburg/Williamsville South), Tracy Urban (Lancaster/Lancaster) and Alyssa Brosius (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) were all 2-for-4 for Buffalo State. Elizabeth Beiter (N. Tonawanda/N. Tonawanda) earned the win, throwing two innings of scoreless relief.

The Bengals scored first in the second half of the twin-bill, but the Lions rallied with three runs in the top of the second, and led the rest of the way in a 6-3 win. Rammacher remained a threat at the plate, as she was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Janelle Mahl (Niagara Falls/Niagara Wheatfield) started her first game of the season on the mound, as she recorded five strikeouts and allowed one earned run in three innings of work. Beiter pitched the final four innings, allowing three runs on eight hits.

The Bengals are now 8-4 on the season.

Who?s Next?

Buffalo State is scheduled to open its SUNYAC schedule at home on Tuesday against Geneseo. The Bengals will play at Oswego on Friday and at SUNYIT on Saturday.

LACROSSE (0-2) - Buffalo State Comes Close Twice

Buffalo State opened its season on Wednesday at Alleghany College, and was defeated by the Gators, 9-8, before opening its home season with an 8-5 loss to RIT.

Annie Tallchief (Perrysburg/Lakeshore) led the way for the Bengals in Wednesday heartbreaking loss to Allegheny, scoring four goals in her first game at Buffalo State. Sophomore Stefanie Hineman (Lancaster/Lancaster) added two goals and one assist for the Bengals in the loss. Goaltender Carolyn Totaro (Rome/Rome Free Acad.) played all 60 minutes for the Bengals, recording six saves.

Saturday, R.I.T. visited Coyer Field, and handed Buffalo State its second loss of the season. Buffalo State dictated the pace of play in the opening 30 minutes, holding the ball in the attacking end for the majority of the half. The Bengals could not hang on to a 4-2 halftime advantage, however, as the Tigers recorded a 6-1 edge in the second half for an 8-5 win. Hineman tallied two goals and one assist for the Bengals, while Tallchief netted her fifth and sixth goals of the year. Freshman Chelsey Frail (Hilton/Hilton) scored her first career goal for the Bengals.

Buffalo State is now 0-2 overall, and has yet to play a SUNYAC game.

Who's next ?

Buffalo State will travel to Geneseo on Tuesday to open the conference schedule, before hosting Cortland and Oswego at Coyer Field this weekend.