Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Messersmith Triples to Send Bucknell Softball to 4-3 Upset Over Lehigh
5/13/2010 8:00:00 AM | Softball
May 13, 2010
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Central) drilled a two-run triple into right field with two outs in the seventh inning to propel No. 3 Bucknell softball to a 4-3 victory over second-seeded Lehigh in the first game of the Patriot League Tournament at the Army Softball Complex on Thursday afternoon. The Bison advance to play No. 4 Colgate tomorrow at noon.
Bucknell (25-17-1) trailed 3-2 heading into the top of the seventh inning. Alyssa Okita (Davis, Calif./Davis) reached on an error, and Lauren Fry (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) singled through the left side to put two Bison on base with one out.
Mary Pavlovich (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) grounded out to first base for two outs, but both Fry and the pinch running Kara Sullivan (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River) were now in scoring position. That is when Messersmith went to work.
Leading up to her final at-bat, Messersmith was 0-for-3 with three groundouts. The outfielder turned her luck around at just the right time for the Bison. Messersmith worked the count full, then fouled off a few more pitches before connecting for the game-winning hit.
Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) sealed the deal in the bottom half of the inning, getting Lehigh to ground out in each of their final three at-bats. The freshman, who was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year earlier in the week, recorded a complete game while allowing three runs on seven hits, bringing her season record to 10-4.
Both teams had tried to establish themselves early. Bucknell made the first dent as Fry led off the game with a single through the left side. A sacrifice bunt from Pavlovich and a passed ball moved Fry around to third base. She then scored as Messersmith grounded out to second.
The score stayed at 1-0 after the first inning despite a handful of Lehigh baserunners. Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) had a major hand in keeping the Mountain Hawks scoreless with two strong defensive plays behind the plate. The Bison catcher erased Lehigh's first baserunner, throwing out Audra Wood on a stolen base attempt and recording the second out of the inning. She also recorded the final out, throwing out Julie Fernandez who tried to advance to second base on a wild pitch.
The Bison continued to threaten in the second inning but had less luck this time around. Sherry Finkel (Morgantown, W. Va./University) drew a walk to load the bases with no one out. Nothing came of the offensive push, however, and Bucknell ended up stranding three.
The Bison's inability to plate any runs in the top of the second returned to haunt them as the Mountain Hawks took their offensive turn. Carly Potock hit a line drive home run to left field, giving her team a 2-1 lead.
The shot came in the middle of a bit of a shaky run for Bucknell pitcher MacLean. MacLean gave up her third consecutive hit, a single to Lauren Eichblatt, following the home run. The danger for Bucknell disappeared just as quickly as it came, however, as MacLean struck out the final two batters.
Both teams retired the side in order in the third inning, and Lehigh's advantage held until the fourth. Colmenero broke open the offense again by lining a single up the middle. She eventually scored on an RBI single from Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) to knot things up at two runs apiece.
Bucknell's ideas of pulling ahead were delayed in the fifth inning. Tiffany Curtis helped her own cause by leading off with a triple and scoring on a single through the left side off the bat of Rosie Roesell. That was the lone run in the frame for the Mountain Hawks as Roesell was left on third base.
Curtis' (17-9) big hit had looked like it would also give her the win in the pitchers' circle. The league's Pitcher of the Year ended up taking the loss, however, despite allowing just one earned run on seven hits in 7.0 innings.
Joining Messersmith among Bucknell's leaders offensively was Fry. The junior finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with two runs.
Bucknell is seeking its first Patriot League Championship since 1997. The squad's next game is slated for noon on Friday. A win in that contest will advance the Bison to the championship game at noon on Saturday. A loss means they will play again at 5 p.m. on Friday in the double-elimination tournament.
