Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Softball Continues Hot Hitting in Sweep Over Lafayette
4/10/2010 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 10, 2010
EASTON, Pa. - Bucknell softball swept its second straight doubleheader, winning at Lafayette 6-5 and 9-1 in five innings on Saturday afternoon. Sherry Finkel (Morgantown, W. Va./University) recorded a team-high five RBI on the day by hitting a combined 4-for-7.
The day's opener saw plenty of back-and-forth. Lafayette (9-20, 0-6) scored first, posting a run in the opening frame, but Bucknell pulled ahead 2-1 in the second inning. Alison Ford (Suisun City, Calif./Fairfield) and Finkel recorded back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Ford later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis), while Finkel came around with the help of a passed ball and an error on the Leopards' second baseman.
That advantage did not last long, as Jordan Parsons tied the game at 2-2 with the first of three home runs for the Leopards.
Bucknell regained the lead for good, scoring three times in the fifth inning. Two of those runs came off the bat of Finkel, who finished the game with a team-high three RBI.
Lafayette mounted two more comebacks before the day's end. The Leopards put two runs on the board, including one from a lead-off home run from Stacey Kushner in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The shot brought Lafayette back to within a single run at 5-4. The Bison added a run in the seventh, which kept them just out of harm's way as Kasey Karr connected for the Leopards' final home run for 6-5.
Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) gave up the long shot to Karr after entering the game in relief at the beginning of the inning, but avoided any more trouble to claim her first career save. Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) earned the win, allowing four runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings pitched. The freshman's record now stands at 7-3. Taking the loss for Lafayette was Karr (7-9), who allowed six runs on eight hits in her complete game.
Finkel finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate with a sacrifice, which led to her three runs batted in. Ford was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) and Okita also ended with one RBI apiece.
The Bison offense remained hot in the second game. Bucknell hit 15-for-28 as a team and Lafayette used three pitchers in the five-inning affair. The Bison sent at least eight batters to the plate in the first, fourth and fifth innings and each time scored three runs.
Several Bison collected multiple hits in the contest, led by McCormack at 3-for-3 and Finkel at 3-for-4. Four players also earned several runs batted in, as Ford, Finkel, Okita and Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) each batted in a teammate twice.
Bucknell also benefited from another strong outing from Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area). MacLean (4-1) held Lafayette scoreless until the fourth inning and allowed just four hits. The freshman also struck out two to earn the victory.
Ali Henry (0-2) took the loss for Lafayette, lasting less than an inning. The pitcher gave up three runs on four hits in 0.1 innings pitching.
Bucknell will face Lafayette in a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 12 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on Bison Vision. Live stats will also be available.
