27 years have passed since the Bison softball team has won four consecutive games. Coming off tremendous team energy and dynamics, the women’s team made history this past weekend as they won all four games at the Cleveland State Dome Tournament. On Feb. 7 the Bison defeated Canisius 9-4 and Bowling Green 8-4. They continued the run on Feb. 8 defeating Toledo 4-3 and Robert Morris 6-5.

“We played like a true team. Everyone was involved in every aspect of the game to ensure we had success. We carried the momentum through each inning and didn’t allow the other team to take it from us. We’re all so excited to be 4-0 for the first time since 1988 and plan to continue on this path. Every person played their role perfectly, whether it was getting a clutch hit or pinch running for someone,” Lauren Swindell ’16 said.

Feb. 7 marked the start to the season for the Bison in Cleveland against Canisius. The Orange and Blue looked strong in their batting line-up and came out with a 1-0 lead right away in the top of the first inning, run in by Cydnee Sanders ’15, last year’s Patriot League batting champ. Kristen Zahn ’15 also played a strong batting game with a two-out RBI single. The top of the third inning brought in three more runs for the Bison, making the score 4-0. Mariah Midyette ’16 brought in two of those runs with a one-out single, bringing home Sanders and Zahn.

Later on in the day, the Bison took on Bowling Green. The Orange and Blue started out behind in the first inning, but came back with eight runs to end the day in a very strong 8-4 win over Bowling Green. Erin Cox ’15 and Cheyanna Young ’16 both had RBI singles in the second inning, while Zahn brought in a run in the third inning. Pitcher Amanda Fazio ’16 helped to keep the Bison in the lead, as she only gave up one hit.

Following their 2-0 lead, the Bison kept the momentum rolling into match-ups on Feb. 7, banging out two more wins. First, the Bison took on Toledo. The game was a tough battle all the way through as the Bison played hard for a truly deserved win. The game was neck and neck until the Orange and Blue took full advantage of being last at bat. In the final inning, Fazio was hit by a pitch taking first and later stealing second to put the team into a better scoring position. Madeline Minneci ’18 stepped up to hit a sacrifice bunt which allowed Sanders to bring home Fazio in the game winning RBI.

Lara Bean ’17 started as pitcher for four innings while only giving up two runs, three hits, and one walk. Cindy Cherness ’16 then came in to give up one run during one inning of pitching. Closer Dana Nielsen ’16 let in no runs in the final two innings, giving her her first win of the season.

In the final game, the Bison capitalized on their winning streak. Midyette and Meghan Kovac ’18 really stepped up in the hitting line up to bring runs in. The Bison took a huge lead in the fifth inning. Kovac had a nice hit which brought in both Sanders and Minneci, while Young had an RBI double and Jacee Almond ’17 and Sanders added a pair of singles to win the game.

“We are truly a team in every sense of the word. Everyone has a huge impact and we all support and lift one another on a daily basis. I wouldn’t ask for a better group of ladies for this season. The energy, chemistry, and unity that come from this team are things that not every team gets to experience. We are taking this season one weekend, one game, one inning, one pitch at a time. The girls and I are more than excited!” Midyette said.

The Bison look to continue their winning streak, heading to warmer weather in Greenville, N.C. where they will play in two games against East Carolina, two against East Tennessee State, and one against Towson starting Feb. 13.