Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
La Salle
Bucknell Softball Defeats La Salle 3-2 in First Ever Win Against Explorers
4/21/2010 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 21, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell softball won its first game over La Salle in program history, defeating the Explorers 3-2 in game one of a doubleheader at the Varsity Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon. Neither team was able to score in game two before the contest was called after five innings due to lightning. Despite the shortened outing, Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) recorded a no-hitter in the 0-0 tie.
MacLean becomes the first Bison pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Hall of Famer Sharon Nichols blanked Lehigh in 1991. The current freshman also struck out six Explorers.
Bucknell (21-12-1) had nearly as difficult a time against La Salle's (13-22-1) Gina Massaro in game two. The Bison connected for four hits, led by Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) who finished 2-for-2 at the plate. Bucknell twice had runners in scoring position as Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) doubled in the fourth inning, and a pinch-running Alicia Wheeler (Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley) reached second on a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) in the fifth. Nothing came of the offense, however, leading to an unsatisfying end to the day.
The opener was much more to Bucknell's liking in terms of outcomes. Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) faced only three batters in each of the first two innings, keeping La Salle at bay. The Bison needed the freshman's strong performance in the circle as it took them some time to get their offense started.
Bucknell's bats finally heated up in the fourth inning as the team sent nine batters to the plate. Shelly McCormack (Humble, Texas/Kingwood) singled to lead off the frame before being replaced on the base paths by Lauren Trosch (Reisterstown, Md./McDonogh). Trosch advanced to third on a single through the right side by Sherry Finkel (Morgantown, W. Va./University) and scored on a sacrifice fly from Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium). Finkel eventually came home as Okita singled down the right field line.
The Bison added to their 2-0 lead with Kara Sullivan (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) drawing a walk to load the bases with two out. Mary Horton (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) put Bucknell ahead 3-0 with a short single to right field that scored Sam Rollandi (San Carlos, Calif./Notre Dame Belmont).
La Salle got one of those runs back in the fifth inning on an RBI double from Massaro. The Explorers also threatened in the seventh. Liz Reed hit in her team's final run of the day with an RBI double of her own, and the Bison intentionally walked Massaro to put two runners on base with one out. Bucknell's defense got it out of the jam as Ali Shepherd dribbled a shot to third base, allowing Alison Ford (Suisun City, Calif./Fairfield) to get the force out at third before throwing Shepherd out at first.
Gates (11-3) continued to build to her freshman resume with yet another win. She finished the contest with two runs on nine hits in 7.0 innings. Gates is now tied for seventh on the Bucknell single-season wins list.
Ford and Horton both finished the game 1-for-3 at the plate. Finkel, Rollandi and Okita were each 1-for-2.
Laura Beth McCreesh (1-8) took the loss despite allowing just three runs on six hits. She also struck out two batters but walked three in 6.0 innings of work.
Bucknell will hit the road for its next series. The Bison will play Lehigh April 24-25 in Bethlehem, Pa. Saturday's action begins at 1 p.m., while Sunday's doubleheader, which can be watched live on LehighSports.com, begins at noon.
