Bucknell University
Bryant
Bucknell Softball Wraps up Rebel Spring Games with Set of Losses
3/13/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2009
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Friday the 13th proved unlucky for the Bucknell softball team as it tallied a pair of losses on its final day of action at the Rebel Spring Games on Friday afternoon. The Bison (7-13) opened the day with a 3-2 loss to Columbia and followed it by dropping a 5-2 decision to Bryant.
Bucknell fell behind early in the first game as Columbia (1-5) grabbed two runs in the top of the first inning off of Bucknell's starter, Jane Messersmith (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor). The Lions' Jackie Ecker started the ball rolling with a lead-off walk. She eventually scored on a single from teammate Kayla Lechler. Dani Pineda doubled to center for the final run of the inning.
Columbia tacked on another run in the fourth as Keli Leong reached base on a single before advancing to third on a pair of sacrifices from the next two batters. Leong later scored on a two-out single.
The Bison jumped onto the board in the bottom of the six inning when Alison Ford (Suison, Calif./Fairfield) and Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) both connected for RBI doubles. Ford plated Lauren Fry (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) drew a walk before coming home herself on Okita's double to left center.
Messersmith (2-6) took the loss in the circle after pitching seven innings in which she gave up three runs on eight hits. The contest was the third complete game for Messersmith this season.
Columbia's Maggie Johnson claimed the win for the Lions while also pitching a complete game. The sophomore gave up just two runs on six hits and struck out three.
Okita finished the game 2-3 at the plate, while Ford was 1-2 with a run and an RBI. Cassie Lloyd (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area), Mary Pavlovich (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) and Ashley Beans (Hanover, Pa./Hanover) also recorded hits in the contest.
Game two on field two at the Osceola Softball Complex ended with another Bison defeat, this time at the hands of the Bryant Bulldogs (3-14).
Bucknell grabbed an early lead with an RBI single off the bat of Okita, who brought Fry home. Fry had reached base on an error. She then stole second and advanced to third on a single by Ford to put her in prime scoring position.
The Orange and Blue added another run off of an RBI single from Lloyd in the top of the fourth inning, but the two-run advantage was not enough for Bucknell to hold on.
The Bulldogs played small ball in the bottom of the fourth, posting three singles that led to four runs and the 4-2 lead. Bryant added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning, again with three singles and a sacrifice bunt.
Bryant's Samantha Houseal claimed the win on six hits and 10 strike outs in seven innings of work. Just one of the two runs was earned.
Liz Fanning (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure HS) took the loss for Bucknell. The freshman (0-4) gave up three runs on five hits over 3.1 innings.
Pavlovich and each hit 1-3 against Bryant while recording Bucknell's only extra-base hits. The duo each posted a double in the matchup. It was the second double of the day for Pavlovich who also recorded a two-bagger in the third inning against Columbia.
Despite going 2-8 during their week at the Rebel Spring Games, the Bison reached some individual milestones. Messersmith recorded the first two wins of her collegiate career, going 2-3 with a .193 ERA in five appearances. The California native registered 19 strikeouts on the week to lead Bucknell. All five games in which Messersmith pitched were decided by two or fewer runs.
Beans, Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) and Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York Area) also moved into various career top-10 lists at Bucknell. The trio is now among the top 10 for career games played, while McDonald moved into eighth for career strikeouts with 129.
Bucknell returns to Lewisburg on Wednesday, March 25 for its first homestand of 2009. The Bison will face off against Drexel in a doubleheader slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Varsity Softball Field.
