Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army
Softball Squad Improves to 3-5 in Patriot League Play with Doubleheader Split with Army
4/8/2001 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 8, 2001
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Gina Fox's home run with two outs in the bottom of the fifth shortened game one to five innings giving Army a 9-1 victory. But Bucknell rebounded to earn a split in the doubleheader and the season series with a 12-1 win in game two at Buffalo Soldier Field on a drizzly and cold Sunday afternoon. Army is now 11-13 on the year and 6-2 in the Patriot League. Bucknell is 11-16-2 and 3-5 in the league.
Fox hit what amounted to a walk-off home run in the bottom of the fifth that put Army up 9-1 when the game was called due to the eight-run rule. The Black Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one and then put a five-spot on the board in the bottom of the fourth, but Bucknell scored a run in the top of the fifth forcing Army to get a run in the bottom half if it was to end the game early.
Chrissy O'Hara had a RBI ground out in the first and Christie Cioffi singled in a run right behind O'Hara during that three-run first. Cioffi then broke for second on the first pitch to Lauren Shaw and Jen Knowlden stole home as the shortstop's throw to the plate was late.
Sarah Thornton had a RBI double and Robbins a RBI single stretching Army's lead to 6-0 in the fourth. Thornton later stole home on the back end of a double steal and Robbins came in on a wild pitch.
Bucknell's Meredith Gill (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll) hit a RBI double in the top of the fifth for the visitor's only tally of game one. Army pitcher Shauna Evans kept the Bison off balance all day. She finished with a four-hitter and three strikeouts to improve to 9-3. It was the only game of the four-game series in which the Black Knights outhit the Bison and held them under 10 hits in the game. Army scored nine runs on 10 hits, while Bucknell finished with one run on four hits and committed one error.
Game two, saw Bucknell jump on Army the way the Black Knights jumped on them in game one. The Bison capitalized on a miscue by Army's Nicki Robbins in center field to score two unearned runs and open up a 4-0 lead after one. Jenna Demetriades (Nesquehoning, Pa./Tamaqua) hit a sharp single to center with two on and one out that caromed off Robbins' leg allowing both runners to score and Demetriades to reach third. Angie Stackhouse (Muncy, Pa./Hughesville) then followed with a RBI single plating Demetriades. Bucknell scored its first run on a RBI ground out by Stephanie Morgan (Allentown, Pa./Dieruff) that scored Meredith Gill. Gill led off the game with a double and stole third.
Army got its' lone run in the third when Robbins hit her team-leading 14th double of the year. She then stole third and was awarded home plate when Bucknell's catcher threw the ball wide of the bag and out of play. The double for Robbins ties her school record for two-baggers in a single-season.
Bucknell scored two more in the fourth on RBI singles by Gill and Kelly Dugan (Mt. Holly, N.J./Rancocas Valley), and got a pinch hit home run from Jenna Fitch (Wayne, Pa./The Shipley School) in the fifth to extend its lead to 7-1. The Bison scored one unearned run in the sixth and four unearned runs in the seventh to finish off Army 12-1.
Robbins extended her hitting streak to eight straight. She is now hitting .508 on the year after going 2-for-6 Sunday. Sarah Thornton had her fifth multiple RBI game going 2-for-3 with two RBI in game one. Junior Wendy Otto pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief for the longest outing of her career. She allowed four hits and five runs - none of which were earned - and struck out two.
Bucknell will be in action again at home on Tuesday, April 10, with a doubleheader against Seton Hall. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
