Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Coastal Carolina
Bucknell Softball Falls Short at Coastal Carolina, Drops 4-1 Decision
2/18/2011 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 18, 2011
CONWAY, S.C. - Kathryn Wilkinson (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) broke up a no-hitter in the sixth inning, and Elyse Colmenero (Fresno, Calif./Central) connected for a 2-out RBI double, but Bucknell softball fell short of a comeback dropping a 4-1 decision to Coastal Carolina at the Kickin' Chicken Classic on Friday night. The Bison (1-1) split its first two games of the season after defeating James Madison 4-0 earlier in the day.
All three of Bucknell's hits came in the sixth inning or later. Until that time the Bison had managed just one base runner after Sam Rollandi (San Carlos, Calif./Notre Dame Belmont) drew a walk in the third. Rollandi was caught stealing, erasing the threat.
Coastal Carolina (3-3) took a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning backed by a strong performance from pitcher Katelin Edwards who had not allowed a hit until Wilkinson singled up the middle in the bottom of the sixth. Rollandi replaced Wilkinson on the base paths with a fielder's choice and soon came around to score on Colmenero's shot.
Although Colmenero, who entered the game as a pinch hitter, advanced to third on an error, nothing else came of the offensive punch. Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) made one last push for the Bison, singling up the middle in the bottom of the seventh. Bucknell was unable to come up with any late magic, however, and fell by three runs.
The Chanticleers had done much of their damage in the fourth inning. Jazmin Daigle reached on a fielder's choice, and Raquel Cooke scored after replacing her as pinch runner. Three consecutive singles followed and led to the first three runs for Coastal Carolina. After giving up four hits, Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) got out of the inning by forcing a ground out, but the Chanticleers had a 3-0 advantage.
Coastal Carolina tagged another run on in the top of the sixth after Stacy Snellings doubled to left center. Snellings scored on a single from the next batter, Chelsea Pineda.
Pineda closed out the contest having hit 3-for-3 with two RBI, while Snellings was 2-for-3 with a run.
Coastal Carolina's four runs came on nine hits, all them being credited to Gates (0-1) who went 6.0 innings. The sophomore struck out three and did not walk a batter. Courtney Conover (Ocean Township, N.J./Ocean Township) finished the game for Bucknell. The freshman struck out the first batter she faced in her collegiate career.
Edwards (1-2) earned the win for the Chanticleers. The starting pitcher gave up one run on two hits and struck out two in 6.0 innings of work. Michelle Evans got the save after allowing just one hit in 1.0 inning.
In the first game of the day, Bucknell shut out James Madison 4-0. Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) got the win allowing just two hits and striking out six in the complete game.
Bucknell will be back in action tomorrow when it plays Saint Joseph's (11 a.m.) and Coastal Carolina (2:30 p.m.). Play concludes on Sunday with a final matchup with James Madison at 12 p.m.
