Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Fairleigh Dickinson (Rebel Spring Games)
Bucknell Softball Splits Pair on Second Day of Rebel Spring Games
3/13/2006 7:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2006
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Bucknell softball team scored seven runs in the final two innings, keyed by a one-out double from Lauren Litts (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg) and a couple of defensive miscues by Fairleigh Dickinson in the fifth inning, to defeat the Knights 9-1 in five innings Monday afternoon at the Rebel Spring Games. The Bison split their two games Monday as they fell to Columbia 8-1 in the nightcap as the Lions scored six runs, all with two outs, in the seventh inning.
The bottom of the order was key for Bucknell (2-12) in the opener against Fairleigh Dickinson. The 7-8-9 hitters, Michelle Danish (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth), Ashley Sarnecky (Wilmington, Del./Charter School) and Ashley Beans (Hanover, Pa./Hanover), combined to go 3-for-5 at the plate with five runs batted in and three runs scored. Litts, who had a first-inning single, had the other two hits for the Bison, who scored their nine runs on just five hits as the Knights' pitchers threw eight wild pitches and walked five hitters.
A pair of Fairleigh Dickinson errors helped the Bison get on the board with two runs in the first inning. Jennifer James (Ambler, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) led off the game reaching on an error by the left fielder. Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) reached on a fielder's choice which was followed by a walk from Lauren Wible (Dover, Pa./Dober). Litts then stroked a single into right field that the right fielder misplayed, allowing both Carlson and Wible to score and Litts to advance to third.
Bucknell managed just one base runner in the next two innings, but added a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Sarnecky doubled over the center fielder's head to score pinch runner Monica Grinage (Braddock, Pa./Shady Side). Sarnecky later scored on a wild pitch.
The Bison batted around in the fifth inning as they took an eight-run lead. Litts' one-out double got things started, and a pair of fielder's choices where the Knights did not record an out kept the inning alive.
Christie Wiest (Centre Hall, Pa./Penns Valley) earned her first win for Bucknell as she improved to 1-4 on the season. She allowed just four hits and struck out four while allowing just one run. Caitlyn Reuter doubled and later scored on a single by Dana Myers for the Knights' only run of the game off Wiest, who pitched her second complete game of the season.
After exploding for nine runs against Fairleigh Dickinson, the Bucknell offense struggled against Columbia, scoring just one run when Litts led off the fourth inning with a triple and Kris Devore (Washington, Pa./Trinity) knocked in Grinage, who pinch ran again. That narrowed the score to 2-1, which it would remain until the seventh inning.
Columbia sealed the game with six runs in the top of the seventh inning. All were scored with two outs as the Lions paraded 11 hitters to the plate and saw one walk followed by seven hits lead to their runs. A majority of the hits were singles that did not leave the infield.
Meg Muirhead (Glendale, Calif./Flintridge Acad.) (0-4) started and allowed just two runs, five hits and two walks over the first six innings of play, but yielded four hits, five runs and one walk in the seventh inning alone. Meaghan Haley (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley) relieved Muirhead and gave up three hits and one run before striking out the final hitter of the game.
Bucknell, which saw its final 11 hitters of the game retired in order, managed just four hits in the game.
The Bison have Tuesday off, but return to action Wednesday with two more games at the Rebel Spring Games. They take on Binghamton at 2:20 p.m. and Cleveland State at 6 p.m. with both games being played at the Osceola Softball Complex.
