The Buffalo State softball team took advantage of a rare glimpse of nice weather
Monday to slide past Fredonia for two conference wins.
The wins give Buffalo State a 12-12 record overall and move the team’s SUNYAC
record to 6-4, good for sixth in the 10-team conference.
“I think a lot of it was we felt the desperation,” senior outfielder Brieanna Brink said.
“We needed the two wins (Monday), so we needed to come out really strong and we
knew that we needed to absolutely win the first game.”
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Bengals fell behind 1-0 on a Fredonia
sacrifice fly in the first inning. Buffalo State fought its way back with one run in both
the third and fourth innings, before exploding in the top of the sixth.
With runners on first and third, Shelly Maggard singled to drive in a run. The next
batter, Brink, reached on a fielder’s choice. She eventually advanced to third on a
throwing error, which allowed two runs to score. The team added two more in the
inning to push the lead to 7-1, which turned out to be the final score.
Sophomore pitcher Maddie Coneys allowed just one run and scattered five hits over
seven innings to earn her sixth win of the year.
“Maddie pitched outstanding today,” coach Marie Curran said. “It was the best
performance she had all year – we threw her both games because she was
throwing so well.”
The Bengals started out the second game much differently than the first, scoring six
runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Maggard’s two out, two-run double.
The Blue Devils came back with three runs in the bottom half of the first and
two more in the third. The Bengals aided Fredonia with four errors in the game,
including two in the third inning that allowed Fredonia to score.
After the third, the Bengals held Fredonia off the scoreboard, thanks in large part to
better defensive play.
“I think they did a really job after the inning of focusing and playing much better
defense,” Curran said.
In the top of the fifth inning, Buffalo State widened its gap with a seven-run
outburst. The Bengals almost went through their order twice in the inning, sending
16 batters to the plate. The team finished with 11 hits in the 13-5 win, marking the
third time in five games they have topped double digits in hits.
“I feel like we’re getting our confidence back,” sophomore infielder Taylor Swiatek
said. “We definitely needed the two wins, and I think this will bring momentum for
our two games Wednesday and a big weekend.”
Swiatek led the way for the Bengals Monday, going 5-for-7 and scoring three runs
while driving in three more.
“It was really good to see, in the last three games, (Swiatek) step up and fix her
swing and work hard at it and spend extra time and really be there for the team,”
Curran said.
Coneys shut the door on the Blue Devils, allowing just two earned runs and 12 hits
over 12 innings Monday. The two wins bring her record to 7-8.
“I just went in there with a positive attitude and saying whatever happens, happens,
so the outcomes were great,” Coneys said. “I think a lot of it is we know we have a
great defense, so if the ball gets hit, no matter what, we’re able to pick it up and get
the out.”
The Bengals play six games this week, including home doubleheaders against
SUNYAC foes Brockport and Geneseo over the weekend. The Bengals are currently
one game behing Geneseo and two behind Brockport in the league standings.
“I think this weekend will really show how our team is, and I think we should really
come up big this weekend and get some wins,” Swiatek said.
Chris Dierken can be reached by email at dierken.record@live.com or on twitter
@cdierken.