Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Drexel
Ford Homers as Bucknell Softball Splits Doubleheader with Drexel
3/31/2010 8:00:00 AM | Softball
March 31, 2010
PHILADELPHIA - Bucknell softball maintained an even record, splitting a doubleheader with Drexel in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Bison (8-8) rebounded from a 3-1 loss in the opener for a 3-2 nine-inning victory in the nightcap. Alison Ford (Suisun City, Calif./Fairfield) connected for her first home run of the season, and Alicia Wheeler (Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley) hit the game-winning single in game two to keep Bucknell from slipping below .500.
Ford's long shot came in the second inning and tied the game at 1-1. The homer helped make up for a shaky first inning in which Drexel (8-10) had three consecutive hits with two outs to get on the scoreboard first. Jenn Reading doubled to left field, and Ashley Botelho and Paige Collings recorded back-to-back singles, allowing Reading to score.
The Bison's momentum came to a halt in the third as the Dragons struck again. Botelho homered to give her team back the lead, but Bucknell held Drexel scoreless for the remainder of the game thanks in large part to another strong pitching performance from Liz Fanning (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure HS). Fanning (2-1) entered the game in relief in the top of the third and gave up just one hit and did not allow another run in 6.2 innings of work.
Ford posted her second RBI of the contest in the fourth inning to re-tie the game at 2-2. The junior doubled in the top half of the inning to score Cassie Greenhawk (Oxford, Md./Easton). The extra-base hit forced Drexel into a pitching change of its own, bringing in Shyann Beach.
Beach held up well for the remainder of the game and it wasn't until the ninth inning that the Bison caught up with her. Wheeler entered the game as a pinch hitter with two outs and connected for one of the biggest hits of her Bucknell career, doubling into right center. The shot scored Kara Sullivan (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) who had reached base on a fielder's choice.
That one hit handed Beach the loss, bringing her record to 1-4 despite only giving up one run on two hits in 5.2 innings pitched.
Ford led the Bison offensively, finishing the game 2-for-3 at the plate. Botelho and Collings were each 2-for-4 for Drexel.
The first game saw even less offense as Bucknell and Drexel combined for just six hits. This time it was the Bison who got on the board first as Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) singled in Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) in the second inning. That was all the run production the Bison would receive, however, as Drexel's Hillary Allen limited Bucknell to only two more hits in the remaining five innings.
Drexel tacked on its first two runs in the bottom half of the second. Collings walked to get on base and eventually scored on a wild pitch, forcing Messersmith from the circle and bringing in Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) to finish the game. Devon Metcalf then singled to center field to score Allen and put the Dragons ahead 2-1.
Drexel's last hit of the night was big one as Kelly Downes homered to right center field in the fourth inning. Neither team was able to add to the score although Bucknell sent five batters to the plate in the seventh inning. Four of those Bison reached base, but nothing came of it as they dropped the opening contest 3-1.
Okita went 1-for-3 with an RBI at the plate in a sluggish offensive performance for Bucknell. Messersmith (0-4) took the loss after allowing two runs on one hit in 1.1 innings pitched. Allen (4-2) earned the complete-game win with one run and three hits allowed.
With Drexel in the past, Bucknell will look forward to its home opener when it hosts Holy Cross April 3-4. Both doubleheaders against the Crusaders are set for 12 p.m.
