Buffalo, NY – The SUNY Oneonta softball team continued its weekend road swing at Buffalo State Saturday afternoon. The Red and White cruised to a 9-1, five-inning win in the opener before falling 11-1 in five innings to close the day.

Game 1:

The Red Dragons picked up where they left off yesterday, as they posted a pair of runs in the first inning. Freshman Ashley Lefebvre (Waterford/Waterford-Halfmoon) led the game off by reaching base after she was hit by a pitch; the center fielder then moved to second on a sacrifice hit by senior Nicole Marzillo (Bay Shore/Bay Shore). Junior Traci Lichtenstein (Plainview/JFK) set up a runners on the corners with one out situation for senior Brianna Rivera (Pomona/North Rockland) with a single through the left side. Rivera singled to third to load the bases for Katie O'Gorman (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa). The sophomore reached on a fielder's choice that scored Lefebvre; Lichtenstein scored on a throwing error by the second baseman.

The bats kept going for Oneonta after the defense shut down the Bengals in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Marlene Cuevas (Wappingers Falls/Roy C. Ketcham) served as a lead off base runner after getting hit by a pitch. Classmate Jenn Brocco advanced Cuevas to second on a sac bunt. A single through the right side by junior Kristyn Neroda (Pearl River/Pearl River) brought Jamie Whittam (Saugerties/Saugerties) to the dish with one down and runners on the corners. The second baseman reached on a fielder's choice that scored Cuevas; Neroda was put out on the play. Whittam swiped second before being plated by a Lefebvre single through the right side. Marzillo scored Lefebvre on the next play with a double to right center before scoring on an RBI single by Lichtenstein that chased the pitcher. Rivera welcomed the new pitcher with an RBI single to right.

Cuevas started off the third inning with a single down the fight field line. Brocco followed with a single to left, pinch runner Shelby Cleaveland (Oneonta/Oneonta) was thrown out at third on the play, however the throw advanced Brocco to second. After the third baseman moved on a wild pitch and Neroda walked, Whittam loaded the bases by being hit by a pitch. Lefebvre plated two base runners when she ripped a single through the middle.

The Bengals got one back in top of the third with a leadoff home run, but that's all sophomore pitcher Sabrina DeAngelis (East Meadow/Kellenberg Memorial) would give. DeAngelis picked up her 11^th win of the year surrendering a trio of hits, striking out three and walking a pair.

Game 2:

The Red Dragons plated the first run in game two on an RBI single by Lichtenstein that plated Lefebvre. Buffalo State, however, erupted for 10 runs, on seven hits in the bottom of the third, before tacking on another in the fourth.

DeAngelis suffered the loss giving up four runs on four hits, striking out one in 2.2 innings pitched. Brocco surrendered six runs on four hits, in a third of an inning of work. Freshman Julia Simpson (Sayville/Sayville) gave up a run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk in one inning of action.

Overall:

Lefebvre led the offense for the Red Dragons going 3-5 at the dish, driving in three and crossing the plate three times. Lichtenstein provided a compliment going 3-5 with a pair of RBI and runs scored on the afternoon. The two extended their hit streaks to five games; Lefebvre has reached base safely in seven straight. Marzillo pushed her streak of reaching base to a team-high 19.

Oneonta finished off its weekend road trip tomorrow at Oswego for a noon doubleheader.