Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
California
Bucknell Softball Falls 10-0 to Cal in Opening Game of NCAA Regional
5/21/2010 8:00:00 AM | Softball
May 21, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Bucknell softball took a hard hit in their first ever NCAA Tournament game, falling 10-0 in five innings to California at Buckeye Field on Friday afternoon. The Bison (28-19-1) struggled to find its offense as the Golden Bears' (42-17) Jolene Henderson pitched a perfect game in the opening round of the Columbus Region. Bucknell's championship experience will continue tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament.
Bucknell showed some opening jitters in the first inning, committing two errors that resulted in Cal's first two runs of the games. Jamia Reid led off with a single and stole second to give the Golden Bears their first runner in scoring position. Shannon Thomas followed with a walk. The duo forced the issue with double steal, and Bucknell committed both errors trying to catch the speedy Reid in the act. Reid ended up scoring on the play, however, and Thomas moved to third. Thomas eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Bucknell was able to regroup quickly, turning a double play to get the first outs of the game. Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) got Jace Williams to ground out to second to end the inning.
MacLean retired the side in the second to keep Cal's lead at 2-0. The freshman pitcher struck out Frani Echavarria and forced a pair of ground outs to end the inning.
Bucknell's luck ran out in the third. The Golden Bears put eight runs on the board as Valerie Arioto and Elia Reid each connected for a three-run home run. The second shot knocked MacLean out of the game after 2.2 innings. Cal sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning and tallied eight hits to take a 10-0 lead.
MacLean gave up eight earned runs on eight hits in the outing. She also struck out one and walked three.
Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) finished the game in the pitchers' circle for Bucknell, and allowed one hit and struck out two in 1.1 innings of relief. Gates earned her first punch out against the first batter she faced, sending Thomas back to the bench after taking a called third strike. She also struck out the first batter she faced in the bottom of the fourth as Ariota was sent down looking as well.
Henderson had a quick outing, facing the minimum 15 batters and striking out 10.
Bucknell will play again tomorrow at 3 p.m. against the loser of Friday's matchup between Ohio State and Kentucky. Live stats on GameTracker will be available at BucknellBison.com. The game can also be heard online at SportsJuice.com and in the Lewisburg area on WVBU 90.5 FM.
