photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

Buffalo vs. Delaware Boxscore
Delaware vs. Canisius Boxscore

HUNTINGTON, W.V. -- The University of Delaware softball team defeated Buffalo, 4-3, and fell to Canisius, 11-1 in five innings, as the Blue Hens opened play at the Marshall University Tournament Saturday at Dot Hicks Field.

Delaware, which is now 1-3 on the season, struck first in the opener when Michelle Grap hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, her seventh career homer. Buffalo (4-5) quickly tied the game in the top of the third when Kristen Gallipani led off with a single to shortstop, stole second and third base, and scored when Alexandra Bejarano grounded out to second.

The Bulls then took a 3-1 lead by scoring a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fourth. Kristin Waldron opened the inning by reaching on an error by Blue Hen shortstop Kim Ovittore, and she scored when Sharon Barr followed with a double to center. Barr then moved to third on a flyout by Dana Carter and scored when Jaime Sheffler beat out an infield single.

Delaware would answer in the bottom of the frame, as Quinn Megargel (at right) led off with a double to center. Megargel then went to third on a groundout by Ovittore, and she crossed the plate on Carter’s error at first base on the play. Michelle Kenney then reached on an error by Barr, and she went to second on a single to center by Grap. After the runners moved to second and third on a groundout by Amanda Stacevicz, Cecile Egan drove home Kenney with the tying run on a single to left.

The game remained knotted at 3-3 until the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Blue Hens pushed across the winning run. With one out Shanette White singled to left center, and she advanced to second on a groundout by Caitlin Smith. After White went to third on an infield single by Abbie Surosky, she scored on a single to center by Megargel.

Megargel finished 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Blue Hens, while Grap was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Delaware pitcher Anne Marie Pagano improved to 1-1 on the year after allowing three runs, one earned, on nine hits while striking out three batters. Barr dropped to 2-3 for Buffalo as she gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits with five strikeouts.

In the Blue Hens’ second game of the day Canisius (4-3) scored multiple runs in the second, third and fourth innings to pull away for the victory. Katie Lancellotti singled up middle to lead off the bottom of the second, and one out later Rachelle Barrientos drilled a two-run homer to put the Golden Griffins on top. Lauren Hope then hit a two-out triple, and after a walk to Lizzy Gatto, Hope scored on a wild pitch.

After Canisius loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third due to three walks, Lauryn Chris hit a two-run single to right and Hope drove home two runs with a triple to make it a 7-0 game.

Delaware got on the board in the top of the fourth when Ovittore doubled down the leftfield line and scored on a single to center by Grap.

However the Golden Griffins quickly responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the game away. Cameron Norton led off with walk and eventually scored on an error by Ovittore. Later in the inning Lancellotti scored on a wild pitch, and Hope closed the scoring with a two-run single to right.

After the Blue Hens were retired in order in the top of the fifth, the game ended due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Amanda Stacevicz allowed 11 runs, seven earned, on eight hits while walking seven batters in 3.2 innings of work as she fell to 0-2 on the season. Canisius starter Mallory Aldred improved to 3-2 after allowing one earned run on four hits and striking out five batters.

Surosky, Ovittore, Grap and Stacevicz had the four Blue Hen hits in the contest.

Delaware concludes its action in the Marshall Tournament on Sunday when the Blue Hens face Canisius at 10 a.m. and the host Thundering Herd at 12 noon.