Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Bucknell Softball Splits with Lehigh, Shuts Out Mountain Hawks 9-0 in Game Two
4/18/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 18, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell softball bounced back from a 2-0 loss to Lehigh to earn a convincing 9-0 win in game two of the doubleheader at the Bucknell Softball Field on Saturday. After recording just two hits in game one, the Bison (14-28, 5-9) exploded for four runs in the first inning and five runs in the second in their next contest, setting the stage for their five-inning victory.
The game-two shutout in five innings marks the first time since 2007 that Lehigh (26-15-1, 12-2) has been held scoreless by a Patriot League opponent. It is also the first time in more than five years the Mountain Hawks have taken a mercy-rule loss to a league foe.
Bucknell rebounded quickly from a disappointing start to the day. Following their ninth league loss, the Bison started game two with a bang. Ashley Beans (Hanover, Pa./Hanover), who was recognized along with four teammates in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the doubleheader, hit a lead-off home run.
An unsettled Tiffany Curtis then walked the next two batters, Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) and Lauren Fry (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield). With runners on first and second, Alison Ford (Suison, Calif./Fairfield) hit the Bison's second homer of the inning. The Mountain Hawks had yet to record an out, and Bucknell already led 4-0.
Beans' smash was the seventh of the season for the senior, ranking her third in program history for single-season home runs. Ford's was her sixth of the year, moving her into a tie for fourth on the same list.
The Bison kept the ball rolling in the second inning, putting five more runs on the board. Kristin Frick (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a single to right center, the second hit in as many innings for Beans. Both Beans and Frick eventually scored on a fielding error by the Mountain Hawks' second baseman, increasing the Bison advantage to 6-0.
Fry, Cassie Lloyd (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) and Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) loaded the bases for Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) who doubled off the centerfield wall. With one swing, Bucknell stood at 9-0, putting a comeback out of Lehigh's reach.
Lehigh had its opportunities in the matchup, including having the bases loaded in the first and fourth innings, but pitcher Jane Messersmith (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) got herself out of trouble each time, posting strikeouts to end each inning. Messersmith also ended the game on a strong defensive play as she gloved a line drive to record the final out.
Messersmith (6-10) earned the win, shutting out Lehigh and allowing only one hit. She also struck out four and walked five in five innings. Curtis took the loss for the Mountain Hawks, allowing four earned runs on six hits in 1.2 innings of work.
Beans and Lloyd each recorded a pair of hits in the game, with Beans going 2-for-3 with two runs and one RBI. Lloyd was 2-for-3 with a run. Ford and Colmenero each finished with three RBI.
Game one started as a battle between the pitchers, Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York Area) and Lisa Sweeney. Neither team was able to advance any runners into scoring position or tally a run in the first three innings. Lehigh broke the drought in the fourth inning, however, as Julie Fernandez doubled to left center. The freshman advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Sweeney and then scored a single, giving her team the 1-0 lead.
McDonald recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth, keeping the contest close. Another run in the sixth, again from Fernandez, closed out the scoring.
Bucknell's two opportunities came on a pair of singles in the third and fifth innings. Mary Pavlovich (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) bunted to reach base to end Sweeney's no-hitter, and Lloyd dropped a single just inside the left-side line later in the game.
McDonald (7-10) took the loss for Bucknell despite allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings. Sweeney (16-8) recorded her league-leading 16th victory behind a two-hit, nine-strikeout complete game.
Bucknell and Lehigh will face off again tomorrow at the Bucknell Softball Field. The doubleheader is slated for a noon start. Both games will be broadcast live on local radio on WVBU (90.5) and online at SportsJuice.com. Live stats on GameTracker will also be available at BucknellBison.com.
