The Canisius softball team moved to 19-12 on the season with a mid-week, non-conference split at cross-town rival Buffalo Wednesday afternoon at Nan Harvey Field. Canisius took the first game 10-3 before the Bulls (8-29) bounced back to take game two by a 4-1 count.
Canisius scored all 10 of its runs in the game's first four innings on Wednesday, with sophomore Lindsey Silfer getting things rolling for the Blue and Gold in the top of the first with a base hit that drove in a pair of runs. After Buffalo scored in the bottom of the first, Canisius added a single-run in the top-half of the second on a sacrifice-fly by senior Michelle DelPrince.
The Griffs led 5-2 after three and broke the game open with five runs in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI-bunt hit by junior Alexis Roman and a sacrifice fly by Silfer. Canisius banged out 10 hits in the win over the Bulls, and the offensive support was more than enough for freshman starter Erika Mackie, who earned her 11th win of the season after she allowed three runs on seven hits to go with a strikeout.
In the second game, Buffalo scored first with a run in the second and then the home team added two more runs in the third en route to a 4-1 victory. Canisius didn't get on the scoreboard until the top-half of the fifth when DelPrince crossed on the plate on a fielder's choice by Silfer. Sophomore Samantha Sharkey had two hits, including a double in the loss, and freshman pitcher Madi Weathers took the loss after she allowed four runs, two earned on six hits to go with three strikeouts.
Canisius will return to action Saturday, April 18, when the team travels to play at Siena. The MAAC doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Game Notes:  Canisius is leads the all-time series with Buffalo by a 26-21 count… The Griffs are 11-2 this season when leading after three innings… The Blue and Gold is now 9-3 this season when scoring first… Silfer has extended her hitting streak to six-straight games… Mackie leads all MAAC freshmen pitchers with her 11 wins in the circle so far.
