Game 1 | Game 2
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Nazareth's recent softball struggles continued Tuesday as the Golden Flyers dropped a non-conference doubleheader at Buffalo State. The Bengals scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the first game, 2-1. The Bengals returned to win the second game, 4-2.

Nazareth dropped to 12-20 overall. Buffalo State is 19-17. The Golden Flyers close their season with three home dates -- all make-ups. They host Medaille Wednesday at 3 p.m., RIT Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Keuka Sunday at 1 p.m.

Nazareth managed only four hits in the first game, but took a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning after scoring its lone run in the fourth. Sophomore Brittany Patenaude opened the frame with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on an infield grounder and scored on another wild pitch.

The Bengals won the game in the bottom of the seventh as Sara Morse reached on a one-out walk from Nazareth starter Kelly Kocher, who was uncharacteristically wild with seven walks. After a sacrifice bunt, Morse scored the tying run on a double by Sam Strapason. Two batters later, Niki Rieman grounded a single up the middle to chase Strapason home with the winning run.

Kocher was a tough luck loser for Nazareth again as she finished with 12 strikeouts. Freshman Kaitlin Graham had two of Nazareth's four hits, including a double.

In the second game, Buffalo State scored once in the first inning, then Nazareth tied it in the sixth as Ann Schoff reached on a fielding error and scored on a double by Kelley Horbal.

The Bengals took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the sixth off Nazareth starter Casey Mathers. Kyrstin Lekki had the key hit in the inning with a two-run homer.

Nazareth staged a mini rally in the seventh as consecutive singles by Patenaude, Mathers and Mandy Weakley produced a run. A sacrifice bunt by Katie Valerio moved the tying run into scoring position, but Schoff and Horbal each struck out to end the threat and the game.

Horbal and Mathers each had two hits for the Golden Flyers.