Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Gates Named Patriot League Softball Rookie of the Week
3/8/2010 7:00:00 AM | Softball
March 8, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell softball's Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) earned her first career Patriot League honor, being named the Rookie of the Week on Monday. The freshman pitcher went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 12.0 innings of work at the George Mason Invitational last weekend.
Gates helped the Bison win their season opener, a 6-3 decision over George Mason on Saturday, after allowing just five hits and no earned runs in her first career start. She also struck out three and walked two in the appearance
Gates' success continued into Sunday as she pitched all five innings of an 11-0 victory over Marist. She gave up only three hits in the shutout to claim her second win in as many appearances. By holding the Red Foxes without a run, Gates becomes the first Bison freshman to record a shutout since Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) earned a 9-0, five-inning victory over Lehigh last season.
After one weekend of play, Gates leads Bucknell in innings pitched, opponent batting average (.211) and fewest walks allowed (3). Her two wins, complete game and shutout are also team bests.
Bucknell is 2-2 through its first early-season tournament. Gates and the rest of the Bison will be back in action March 12-13 at the UMBC Dawg Pound Classic in Baltimore, Md. Bucknell will face UMBC (1:50 p.m.) and Seton Hall (3:45 p.m.) on Friday, followed by Drexel (8:30 a.m.) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (2:15 p.m.) on Saturday.
