The Bengals lost a close match in game one versus the No. 1 seed before they trampled SUNY Fredonia to go 1-1 on day one of the tournament. On Saturday, BSU sent Oneonta home with a 5-2 win.
The win in game two allows Buffalo State to continue on its path to a championship trophy, as it is a double-elimination tournament. The Bengals’ next opponent will be Cortland in the semi-finals on Sunday morning. Start time is to be announced.
Game 1 vs. New Paltz, L 3-4
Madison Lucas had a day for Buff State as she led the prowl with a home run, a double, an RBI and two scored runs as she went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Grace Albano was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Sam Schafer had an RBI.
Kaitlyn Schnitzer pitched the first 2.2 innings and allowed five hits and three runs before Izzy Pezdek entered the game for the last 3.1 innings as she allowed four hits and one unearned run to score.
Lucas’ home run came in the second inning to give the Bengals a 1-0 advantage. New Paltz scored an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning on a throwing error to tie the game up.
Samantha Kelly scored in the top of the fifth on a single from Albano to lead 2-1 before the Hawks quickly responded in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at two apiece.
New Paltz put up a crooked number in the sixth to take an advantage and Buff State took a loss as they only managed one run in the seventh inning, and it was unearned.
The final score was 4-3, and it was a much better offensive showing for BSU compared to their regular-season matchup.
The Bengals had eight hits while the Hawks had nine.
Game 2 vs. Fredonia, W 8-1
The Bengals bounced back and trampled the Blue Devils, 8-1, in game two to continue their trip at SUNYAC.
Pezdek was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs and was given the win in the circle as she pitched 6.2 innings and allowed four hits, two walks and had four strikeouts.
Lucas pitched to the first five batters before there was a change in the circle. She allowed two hits and one run and walked a batter.
Fredonia scored in the first inning, and then their offense got quiet for the rest of the game.
Buff State got on the board in the top of the second inning and took a commanding 6-1 lead as they put up six runs, four of which were unearned. Erin Paolilli hit a single to center field to score Lexi Quagliana before Pezdek singled to the shortstop and scored Lucas.
Sarah Congelosi was walked to load the bases and a fielder’s choice scored Jean Rogers on the next play. Katie Psyzczek hit a single to score Pezdek and Congelosi before a double from Caitlyn Parsons scored another run.
A single to left field from Psyzczek in the top of the sixth scored Pezdek, who got on base with a single, and gave the Bengals a 7-1 advantage. A double from Pezdek in the top of the seventh scored Lucas and gave BSU the win as Fredonia could not make a comeback.
Game 3 vs. Oneonta, W 5-2
Buffalo State sent fourth-seeded Oneonta back to their hotel as they eliminated them from the tournament with a 5-2 win. The game was originally set for Friday, but had to be played on Saturday afternoon due to rain cancellation.
Pezdek was in the circle for all seven innings and managed five strikeouts, four hits and two runs, only one of which was earned.
Congelosi was 1-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored and two walks while Parsons was also 1-for-2 at the plate with one run scored and two walks. Lucas was 1-for-3 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk.
Buff State put up a crooked number in the first to lead 2-0 as both Congelosi and Parsons scored on singles from Lucas and Schafer, respectively. Another pair of runs scored in the fourth to take a 4-0 advantage as Lucas and Kenzie Scott scored on a double from Paolilli.
Oneonta got on the board in the bottom of the sixth as they scored two runs, one of which was unearned, to trail by two runs.
The Bengals scored their final run of the game in the seventh as a groundout pushed Congelosi to third before another groundout sent her home. Oneonta was unable to generate any momentum in the bottom of the inning.
With the win, Buff State advances to the semi-final game against Cortland on Mother’s Day.
