Club Softball Game Team finishes season strong against the University at Buffalo
The Geneseo Club Softball game team traveled to Buffalo on Sunday, Oct. 30 for their final triple-header game series of the fall semester. The team faced University of Buffalo, bringing a strong and competitive energy to close off the fall season on what became a miraculously sunny and warm day. Geneseo finished the day winning one of the three games to bring their conference record for the year to 3-6.
Though the first game of the day was a slow start for Geneseo, the team fought hard to set the tone of the competition. Senior center-fielder Abby Minnekine started the day fiercely, earning a double after a hardline drive to right field and putting pressure on UB right off the bat. Minnekine was able to advance home and put the first run on the board for the day following hits from freshman third-baseman Lauren Ratajczak and freshman catcher Leah Kowalczyk.
The bulls fought back hard, gaining six runs against Geneseo in the first and second innings. Unfortunately, Geneseo could not fully come back from this, and ended their first game with a loss of 4-11.
Rather than letting this loss defeat them, Geneseo used it as fuel to spark a new competitive energy in the second game. Once again, Geneseo started off scoring a run in the top of the first inning, with senior first-baseman Mackenzie Gugino advancing home with a run batted in (RBI) from junior pitcher Mya Enderle.
After the Bulls scored a run to tie the first inning, Geneseo came back with solid offense and tight defense, preventing UB from scoring again until the sixth inning. Enderle led the team on the mound, striking out five batters, while the strong players in the field prevented the Bulls from advancing.
Geneseo scored nine total runs throughout the game, two of them being gained by freshman outfielder Kira Taber. The final score of the game was 9-4, giving Geneseo their first win of the day.
The final game of the day was perhaps one of the most intense and closest matches that Geneseo has played all season. It was a back and forth battle, with both teams bringing their best efforts to close out the day.
A total of six runs were scored in the first three innings by Geneseo, including three in the first two innings by Minnekine, senior left-fielder Kelly Salpeter, and senior second-baseman Carly Burgio. By the sixth inning, however, Geneseo was down 9-6. In an effort to clinch the win, the team scored three runs and tied the game in the final inning. UB had last ups, where they unfortunately scored one final run to seal the win, leaving Geneseo with a 9-10 loss.
Despite leaving with only one of three wins in hand, the hard-battled games were a great way for the Geneseo game team to end its fall season. Whereas the team suffered continuous losses last year, this season has given the team a new sense of hope and competitiveness for the future. The team will continue to work hard throughout the winter months in indoor practices, and will return to the fields in the spring ready to shine after what has already been a year of major growth and personal success.