CLERMONT, Fla.—Buffalo State (1-3) picked up its first win of the season, splitting a doubleheader with Messiah (Pa.) today at the USA National Training Center. The Bengals fell 3-1 in the opener, but rallied to win 4-2 in the late game.

The first game, the 3-1 loss, followed a similar script for the Bengals, who left seven runners on base, including stranding runners on second and third with one out in the seventh inning. Messiah manufactured runs in the first, fourth and sixth innings. Buffalo State scored its lone run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Nicole Maher (Waterloo/ Waterloo) that plated Jolene Banach (Cheektowaga/ Maryvale). Freshman Arielle Austin (Smithtown/ Smithtown West) went 3 for 3 with a triple. Aimee Fisher (Hamburg/ Frontier) took the loss on the mound, allowing five hits, three walks and three runs in 5 1/3 innings. The Bengals had seven hits as a team.

Buffalo State’s offense finally came to life in the second game, exploding for a four-run sixth inning. Maher had a bases-clearing double to score the first three runs, and Karen Oste (Jamestown/ Maple Grove) added an RBI single. Messiah had converted a double, a triple and an error into two runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. Jenna Frieling (E. Amherst/ Williamsville North) earned her first win as a Bengal, going the distance, allowing six hits and one earned run with four strikeouts. Jordan Banach (Cheektowaga/ Maryvale) was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored.

Buffalo State will play another twin bill tomorrow against Indiana Tech at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.