Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Rider
Bison Softball Splits Doubleheader with Visiting Rider
4/23/2002 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 23, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell softball team ended its home season on a strong note, splitting a doubleheader with visiting Rider on Tuesday, April 23. The Bison fell 2-0 in the opener, but responded with a 4-1 victory in game two.
In the opener, the two teams combined for six errors and only eight hits in a 2-0 win for the Broncs. Rider struck early, taking advantage of two Bucknell errors to plate one run in the top of the first inning. With runners on first and third, Maddy Boulden flew out to right field and Heather Boyle tug up from third to score the first run of the game.
The Broncs tallied again in their half of the third when Deanna Dovak sent a one-out homerun over the right center fence to give Rider the 2-0 cushion it would need. The Bison had a runner on in every inning except the seventh, but could not find a way to score.
Bucknell's Brandi Porter took the loss, despite fanning seven and allowing only five hits. With her seven strikeouts, Porter is now just three shy of breaking her own single-season record. Devin Karcesky was on the mound for Rider, allowing just three hits in the winning effort.
In game two, it was the Broncs taking the early lead again with a run in the third. Rider recorded four hits in the inning before Bison pitcher Kelli Haskins got Brandey Weed to fly out with the bases loaded.
Bucknell responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. With two outs, sophomore Kristen Potts reached base on a Rider error, allowing senior Barb Wood to score to even the contest 1-1.
The Orange and Blue threatened again in the fifth, getting runners on first and third with two hits in the frame, but Broncs hurler Laura Maloney got Potts to ground out to second to end the threat. Rider would not be so lucky in Bucknell's half of the sixth. Senior Jenna Demetriades led off the inning with her school record 20th career triple. Sophomore Angela Stackhouse then reached on a fielders choice, before junior Meredith Gill walked to load the bases with no outs.
Senior Kelly Dugan followed with an RBI single to right field for what would prove to be the game-winning hit to score Demetriades. The inning did not end there, however. The Bison proceeded to score two more runs on two more hits in the inning to go ahead 4-1.
Haskins worked a 1-2-3 seventh for the win. The freshman gave up five hits and struck out three in the victory. Maloney surrendered seven hits to the hosts, striking out one and walking one.
Bucknell will look to carry its momentum into this weekend's Patriot League finale with Lehigh. The Bison, 12-28 overall and 5-11 in the conference, take on the first-place Mountain Hawks on Saturday and Sunday for a chance to advance to the Patriot League playoffs.
