Bucknell University Athletics
Softball Team Splits Doubleheader at Army
4/7/2001 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 7, 2001
Box\ Score
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army could not capitalize with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two, and Bucknell scored in the top of the 10th beating the Black Knights 4-3 to earn a split Saturday afternoon at Buffalo Soldier Field. The Black Knights took the opener 8-2 behind a four-run third and three-run fourth. The split leaves Army at 10-12 overall and 5-1 in the Patriot League. Bucknell is 10-15-2 and 2-4 in the league as they hand the Black Knights their first conference loss while breaking Army's five-game win streak.
The Black Knights looked as though they might pick up their third straight doubleheader sweep when the Bison walked both Misty Munoz and Gina Fox to lead off the seventh. Melissa Parrish then sacrificed the runners over and Bucknell pitched around Nicki Robbins, loading the bases. However, Sarah Thornton struck out and Jen Knowlden flew out harmlessly to left to end the inning.
Both teams went down in order in the eighth and ninth before Bucknell pushed the game-winning run across in the top of the 10th inning. Bucknell leadoff batter Charity Ford (Cogan Station, Pa./Williamsport) singled and moved up to second on a sacrifice. The Bison's all-league center fielder Jenna Demetriades (Nesquehoning, Pa./Tamaqua) then came through in the clutch with a two-out double to left-center, scoring Ford. Army had its two-three-four hitters coming to the plate in the bottom of the inning, but they went down in order.
Sarah Thornton's second home run of game two in the bottom of the sixth tied the game 3-3. She now has five home runs on the year tying the single-season record set last spring. She now leads the Patriot League in home runs.
Shauna Evans, the winner in game one, relieved starter Ashlie Christian in the fifth inning. She tossed the final six innings suffering the loss. She is now 8-4 on the season.
Evans threw seven strong innings in game one for her ninth complete game.
Army scored four in the bottom of the third inning when Parrish scored on a wild pitch and then both Robbins and Thornton scored on the same play when Robbins slid hard into home jarring the ball loose from Bucknell catcher Kathy Zeevalk (West Caldwell, N.J./James Caldwell). The ball rolled away from Zeevalk and Thornton raced in behind Robbins. Knowlden, who had put the ball in play with a grounder to short, scampered all the way over to third as the Bucknell players argued the call with the home plate umpire. Freshman Christie Cioffi then sacrificed Knowlden home with the fourth run of the inning.
That rally broke a 1-1 tie giving the Black Knights 5-1 lead. Army came right back in the fourth putting three more runs on the board busting the game wide open. Munoz led off with a walk and Fox then singled chasing starter Lauren Potente (Ringwood, N.J./Lakeland). Parrish was then walked by reliever Brandi Porter (Prospect Park, Pa./Interboro), and Army had the bases loaded with nobody out. Nicki Robbins delivered a two-run double to left scoring Wendy Otto, who was running for Munoz and Fox. Parrish later scored on a wild pitch giving the Black Knights an 8-1 lead.
Bucknell got a solo home run from Stephanie Morgan (Allentown, Pa./Dieruff) in the seventh but it was not enough. Parrish went 3-for-3 with three runs scored in game one, while Robbins was 2-for-3 with two RBI and her 13th double of the season.
These same two schools will meet again tomorrow for another doubleheader at Buffalo Soldier Field. Game one is set to go off at 1:00 p.m.
