Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Softball Travels to Rebel Spring Games Next Week
3/11/2006 7:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After a rough start to its season, the Bucknell softball team will try to get on track next week with its annual trip to the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Bison are scheduled to play 10 games in a six-day span at the popular event.
After struggling at the season-opening East Carolina Pirate Classic last month, Bucknell (0-10) bounced back with a respectable showing at the George Washington Colonial Classic last weekend as it left the potential winning run on base in its final game against Patriot League foe Colgate.
Bison second-year head coach Heather Rakosik has had the task of implementing 10 freshmen into the lineup. Thus, just three players have started every game and 14 different position players have drawn at least two starts.
Five players own batting averages of at least .300 with Jennifer James (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) leading the way at .389. She has seven hits in 18 at bats, including three doubles. Cassie Lloyd (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) and Kris Devore (Washington, Pa./Trinity) own averages of .364 and .346, respectively, while Erin Curatola (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) (.333) and Meghan Feller (Willoughby Hills, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) (.300) round out the quintet of Bison with .300 batting averages. The nation's leading hitter last year, Lauren Wible (Dover, Pa./Dover), is hitting just .259, but is tied with Lauren Litts (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg) for team-high honors in RBI with four.
The youthful pitching staff, which is anchored by sophomore Christie Wiest (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley), has lowered its ERA from greater than 10.00 to below 7.74 over the last four games. Wiest, who has started three games and pitched 23.0 innings, is second on the team with a 5.09 ERA. She has struck out 21 hitters and appeared in seven contests. Freshman Tanya Roth (Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes), who had a 1.59 ERA in two appearances last week, leads the squad with a 4.80 ERA. She is second on the team with 15.0 innings pitched and opponents are hitting just .236 against her.
Bucknell opens play at the Rebel Spring Games Sunday with back-to-back games against George Washington and Rider. The Bison will play two games every day next week except Tuesday, wrapping up their spring break trip with a pair of contests against Saint Louis Friday morning.
Bucknell's Rebel Spring Games Schedule
(all games at Osceola County Softball Complex, Kissimmee, Fla.)
Sunday, March 12
vs. George Washington, 4:10 p.m.
vs. Rider, 6 p.m.
Monday, March 13
vs. Fairleigh Dickinson, 2:20 p.m.
vs. Columbia, 4:10 p.m.
Tuesday, March 14
Day Off
Wednesday, March 15
vs. Binghamton, 2:20 p.m.
vs. Cleveland State, 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 16
vs. Wagner, 8:50 a.m.
vs. Butler, 12:30 p.m.
Friday, March 17
vs. Saint Louis, 8:50 a.m.
vs. Saint Louis, 10:40 a.m.
