Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Softball's Jane Messersmith Named Patriot League Rookie of the Week
4/27/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 27, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell softball's Jane Messersmith (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) claimed her second Patriot League Rookie of the Week honor this season following a strong outing against Army last weekend. The freshman finished the four-game series with a 1-1 pitching record while hitting .571 with two doubles and three RBI.
Messersmith hit 8-for-14 in the regular-season series finale, giving her the team's second-best weekend average. As the designated player in game one, Messersmith hit 3-for-4 before coming back for three more hits in the second game. The California native also pitched in that contest, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out five in the complete game win.
Messersmith continued on day two with an RBI single, a double and a run in the final pair of contests. In the pitchers' circle, Messersmith allowed three runs on five hits. She was unable to come away with the victory despite striking out five Black Knights for the second consecutive day.
The freshman's record now stands at 8-11 on the year. She leads the team in ERA (3.75), strikeouts (77) and opponent batting average (.250).
Messersmith earned her first weekly honor for being the league's top rookie on March 12.
With the help of Messersmith's performance last weekend, the Bison earned the No. 3 seed in the Patriot League Tournament May 7-9 at Lehigh's Kaufman Field. Bucknell will face No. 2 Colgate in the first game in the double-elimination tournament. Lehigh leads the field with the first seed, while Lafayette rounds it out with the fourth seed.
