Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Ohio
Bucknell Softball Splits Decisions at Camel Stampede, Gets 2-1 Win Over Saint Joseph's Saturday
2/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2009
BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Bucknell softball team earned its first win of 2009 as it split a pair of decisions at the Camel Stampede on Saturday. After dropping the first game of the day 5-2 to Ohio University, the Bison (1-3) bounced back for a 2-1 victory over Saint Joseph's.
Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) was named to the Camel Stampede All-Tournament Team following a 5-for-10 weekend from the plate. The junior also drew two walks and started all four games.
Both teams were slow to get on the board in the matchup with Saint Joseph's (4-2). The Hawks struck first, however. Brooke Darreff drew a walk to lead off the inning and was replaced on the base path by Hannah Adams. Adams eventually scored on a fielder's choice and an error four batters later.
Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Bucknell kick started the offense with a walk from Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury). Okita followed it up with a bunt single to advance Carlson to second. Brittany Schlorff (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro Horsham) saw the first action of her collegiate career as she entered the game as pinch runner for Okita.
The Bison got some power from Alison Ford (Suison, Calif./Fairfield) as the sophomore doubled to left center field, scoring Carlson and sending Schlorff to third. Schlorff then scored on a wild pitch, giving Bucknell the 2-1 victory.
Pitcher Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York Area) earned the win for the Bison.
The win was a strong effort following a difficult loss to Ohio (5-4) earlier in the day. The Bobcats took the early 1-0 lead as Deanna Hartsough singled to left field, scoring Shalene Petrich. The run was the only earned run of the game given up by Bucknell's Jane Messersmith (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor).
The Orange and Blue tied things up in the third after Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) doubled to right field. The second baseman eventually scored as Okita singled to left.
The scoring continued in the fourth inning as Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) doubled down the left field line to kick off the offensive production. The sophomore catcher advanced to third on a wild pitch, putting her in position to score as Ashley Beans (Hanover, Pa./Hanover) tripled in her next at bat. Colmenero's run, her first of the year, gave Bucknell the 2-1 advantage.
The lead was short-lived, however, as Ohio came back in the top of the seventh. A pair of walks and a throwing error loaded the bases for the Bobcats, and another fielding error allowed Brooke Morgart to score the game-tying run. After a double steal, putting runners on second and third, Melissa Bonner singled to score Petrich and put Ohio up 4-2. Ohio scored once more in the inning, making a potential comeback that much more difficult for Bucknell.
The Bison came close to extending the game, however, as it loaded the bases in its final opportunity. Okita reached on a fielder's choice and was moved to second as Mary Pavlovich (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) was hit by a pitch. Ford earned one of her two hits in the game with a single to left field. Unfortunately for the Bison faithful, the Orange and Blue were unable to bring in the trio as Colmenero struck out looking to end the game.
Okita finished the day a combined 3-for-6 at the plate, including a 2-for-4 performance against Ohio. Ford and Colmenero also finished 2-for-4 against the Bobcats, while Beans went 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Bucknell is back in action on Sunday, Feb. 15 as it faces off against North Carolina Central in Durham, N.C. Game one of the doubleheader is slated for 12 p.m.
