Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Colgate
Bucknell Softball Upsets Colgate 7-3 in Patriot League Tournament
5/7/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
May 7, 2009
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bucknell softball came away with the 7-3 upset over second-seeded Colgate in the first game of the Patriot League Tournament on Thursday. Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) led the No. 3 Bison (19-30) at Kaufman Field, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.
Bucknell stays in prime position to win a Patriot League Tournament title and will face top-seeded Lehigh in the next round of play.
Bucknell wasted little time showing Colgate that its regular-season success against the Bison was a thing of the past. The Bison put a pair of early runs on the board, pulling out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Snyder kicked off the offense with a double, then scored as Lauren Fry (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) reached base on a fielding error. Fry later came home with the help of a sacrifice from Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central).
The Orange and Blue continued to excel at the plate in the fourth inning when they plated two more. Snyder was again involved in the action. With Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury) and Kristin Frick (West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) on base, the sophomore connected for her second triple of the season, clearing the bags and giving Bucknell the 4-0 edge.
After four strong innings, Jane Messersmith (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) saw her first bit of trouble in the fifth. The freshman pitcher battled with two runners in scoring position with two outs but got Tiana Tyeskey to pop up to the shortstop to end the inning.
Messersmith's struggles carried over into the sixth as Colgate's Amanda Eccleston and Stephanie Hartquist drilled back-to-back doubles to left field. Each recorded an RBI with her hit, bringing the Raiders closer at 4-2. Colgate tagged on one more to come within one of tying the contest and ended the day in the pitchers' circle for Messersmith.
Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York Area) entered the game in relief, striking out the only batter she faced.
Having given up three in the bottom of the sixth, Bucknell got back to work at the plate in a hurry. Snyder led off the inning with her second double of the day. She then advanced on a Fry bunt single. Cassie Lloyd (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) singled in the Bison's fifth run. The senior advanced to second on the throw, giving Bucknell runners on second and third with one out.
Colmenero took care of those base runners, bringing them both home on a single to right field. With the series of hits, the Bison were back in front by three, 7-3.
Bucknell got one last scare in the bottom of the seventh as Colgate loaded the bases one last time. Going for her first save of the season, McDonald got Hartquist to ground out, giving Bucknell the upset.
Messersmith (9-11) came away with the win, giving up three runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. McDonald got the save after shutting out the Raiders and allowing two hits in 1.1 innings.
Colgate's Jesse McCarrick took the loss in the pitchers' circle, giving up five earned runs on seven hits. She struck out four.
Snyder finished the day with two doubles and a triple. Carlson joined her teammate in the multi-hit club, going 2-for-3 with a run.
With the win, the Bison will take on No. 1 Lehigh, who beat Lafayette 1-0 in the first game of the day. First pitch is slated for 11 a.m. tomorrow at Lehigh's Kaufman Field. A possible second game is slated for 4 p.m.
