Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Liberty
Bison Softball Drops Two Games at Rebel Classic
3/13/2002 7:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2002
ORLANDO--On their second day at the Rebel Softball Classic, the Bison traveled to the University of Central Florida to take on Liberty University and the University of Tennessee-Martin. Despite a late inning rally that tied the game, the Bison fell to Liberty 7-3 in game one. In game two, UT-Martin blasted 12 hits on their way to a 9-0 victory.
Bucknell freshman Kelli Haskins, getting her first collegiate start, allowed one run in the top of the first before striking out back-to-back Liberty hitters to get out of the jam. The Lady Flames would strike again in the top of the fourth. Amanda Goc's run-scoring single drove home Lauren Hahn, who had led off the inning with a double. Freshman catcher Amanda Maska led off the fifth with a solo home run to left, accounting for the third Liberty run.
Bucknell finally collected its first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth, an RBI single by Meredith Gill plating sophomore Erin Doyle. The Bison offnese came alive in the bottom of the sixth as seniors Kathy Zeevalk and Kelly Dugan ripped back-to-back singles. A Liberty throwing error on the next play allowed pinch runner Courtney Dohoney to score from second, and senior Lauren Titus followed with a walk to load the bases. After a force out at home, pinch hitter Jenna Fitch was hit by the first pitch she saw to force home Angela Stackhouse and tie the game. Meredith Gill then lined a shot to left, but a diving catch by leftfielder Allison Terry ended the Bison rally.
The 3-3 tie would be broken in the top of the seventh as Liberty combined three hits and a walk with a Bison trowing error to push across four runs. Lady Flames' pitcher Jennifer Hurley then retired the Bison in order in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the 7-3 lead and earn the complete game victory.
Goc and Lindsay Schwind led the Lady Flames' offense with two hits apiece, while Hahn and Maska each scored twice. Hurley held the Bison to three hits while striking out four and walking two.
In game two, a very strong Tennessee-Martin team combined an explosive offense with an errorless defense to shoutout the Bison. UT-Martin pitcher Andrea Rushing allowed only five Bucknell singles to go along with five strikeouts and no walks. Rightfielder Nicole Davis led the Skyhawks' offense, pounding two doubles and a single in four at-bats. For Bucknell, freshman Jennifer Ross singled in the sixth for her first collegiate hit.
Action continues tomorrow for Bucknell as they take on Colorado State at 6:00 pm and George Mason at 7:50 back at the Osceola County Sports Complex.
