Buffalo High Softball Team Third at the Turn
At the midpoint of the season, the Buffalo High Lady Bison have carved out a respectable third‐place standing in the Metro Valley Conference, posting a 6–3 league record and an overall mark of 10–5. After a strong non-conference slate and a mix of gritty wins and tough losses in conference play, coach Alicia Martínez says her squad has both momentum and work to do as they head into the stretch run.
Early Season Success
Buffalo High opened the spring with a 4–1 showing in non-league play, highlighted by a 7–2 victory over arch-rival Maplewood on March 29. Senior pitcher and team captain Jenna Lee set the tone, fanning nine batters over six innings while allowing just two runs. “Jenna’s leadership on the mound gave us confidence right out of the gate,” Martínez noted. “Her competitive fire is contagious.”
Conference Battles
The Lady Bison’s Metro Valley campaign began with a thrilling 5–4 win at Centennial, where freshman outfielder Maya Thompson launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the fifth inning. Buffalo then dropped back-to-back games against top-ranked Eastview (2–8) and perennial contender Lincoln (3–6), exposing some defensive lapses and a lineup still finding its groove.
Since that skid, Buffalo High has rallied, taking four of their last five conference contests. Key victories include a 6–1 road win over Forest Ridge, thanks in large part to junior slugger Olivia Park’s three-hit day, and a tense 4–3 walk-off triumph versus North Point, where sophomore pinch-hitter Sara Delgado singled home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
“We’ve shown we can fight through adversity,” said Park. “We’ve come back from deficits, held leads, and we’re growing more confident each game.”
Standings Snapshot
| Rank | Team | Conference Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastview Eagles | 8–1 | 12–3 |
| 2 | Lincoln Lions | 7–2 | 11–4 |
| 3 | Buffalo Lady Bison | 6–3 | 10–5 |
| 4 | Forest Ridge Falcons | 5–4 | 8–7 |
| 5 | North Point Navigators | 4–5 | 7–8 |
Keys to the Second Half
With roughly half the conference slate remaining, Martínez has pinpointed two areas for improvement: tightening up defensive play behind the plate and capitalizing with runners in scoring position. Currently, the Lady Bison are eighth in the conference with an 0.275 RISP batting average, a statistic she believes can swing close games in Buffalo’s favor.
On the mound, freshman phenom Lily Nguyen (3–1, 1.95 ERA) is stepping into a more prominent role to complement Lee’s veteran presence. “Lily’s curveball has baffled hitters all season,” Martínez said. “If she keeps developing, we’ll have two arms that can carry us deep into the postseason.”
Remaining Schedule
- May 9 vs. Eastview (Home)
- May 12 at Lincoln (Away)
- May 15 vs. Forest Ridge (Home)
- May 18 at North Point (Away)
A pivotal stretch sees Buffalo High hosting Eastview—currently undefeated at home—and making a tough trip to Lincoln. The Lady Bison will need to bring their best against the playoff favorites before closing out with two winnable contests that could cement their postseason seeding.
Outlook
Peering ahead to district tournaments in early June, Buffalo High’s blend of seasoned seniors and rising underclassmen positions them as a formidable dark horse. If they shore up the small margins—turning a few bounces their way and executing in the clutch—the Lady Bison could move beyond third place and challenge for the Metro Valley crown.
“We’re excited,” Coach Martínez said. “Third at the turn is great, but our goal is clear: finish stronger than we started.”
As Buffalo High embarks on the back half of its season, fans can expect high-energy play, dramatic late-game moments, and a team determined to rise to the top.