Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Kicks Off 2012 Campaign at Elon's Phoenix Softball Clash
2/17/2012 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 17, 2012
Additional Links:
2012 Bucknell Softball Media Guide
In the Herd: Bucknell Softball Season Preview 
Phoenix Softball Clash Tournament Central
SCHEDULE CHANGE (as of 1:30 p.m., Feb. 16) - Bucknell's schedule at the Phoenix Softball Clash is as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 18
11:45 a.m. - Bucknell at Elon
4:15 p.m. - Bucknell vs. Presbyterian
6:30 p.m. - Bucknell vs. James Madison
Sunday, Feb. 19
11:45 a.m. - Bucknell at Elon
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Major League pitchers and catchers just reported, but Bucknell softball is already in the thick
of things as it opens its 2012 season at the Phoenix Softball Clash in Elon, N.C., this weekend. The Bison begin action with the host Elon at 2 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a 4:15 contest against Presbyterian. Play on Sunday resumes with a 10 a.m. bout with James Madison and a 12:15 p.m. rematch opposite Elon. Live stats can be found for all games at ElonPhoenix.com.
Much of the first portion of Bucknell's season will take place on the road. Following the tournament at Elon, the Bison will travel to the Marshall Tournament in Huntington, W. Va., and Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., in March. Not until March 31 will Bucknell, which tied for fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, get its first game action on its home field. The Bison host Colgate in the league opener on March 31-April 1 at Becker Field.
Below is a more in-depth look at Bucknell softball's upcoming 2012 season:
The 2010 season ended with a Patriot League Championship, and the Bucknell softball is looking to get back into championship form after an inconsistent 2011. Although they graduated a strong senior class last year, which included Patriot League Player of the Year Alison Ford, the Bison have more than enough options and versatility up and down the roster to put them back in postseason contention in 2012.
"In general, I would say we have a lot of options and flexibility overall. We're looking to get wins with multiple contributors," said eighth-year head coach Heather Rakosik. "We're really looking early on in the season to find the best chemistry, to really develop everyone's role on the team and look for those that can handle the pressure and step up to contribute on and off the field."
Bucknell graduated six seniors a year ago, leaving them with a relatively young squad of just one senior, six juniors, five sophomores and seven freshmen. That youth should not be construed as inexperience, however, as every Bison has already had an opportunity to contribute in a number of ways throughout their careers.
PITCHER - Experience is one of the strong points of the Bison pitching staff, which returns juniors Alex MacLean and Bridget Gates. The 2010 PL Rookie of the Year and Tournament MVP, MacLean fell just seven strikeouts short of overtaking Bucknell's single-season record last spring with 116. She also ranks among Bucknell's top 10 in career games played (10th, 59) and wins (9th, 21), and is just eight innings pitched shy of the top 10 in that category as well. She and Gates are among the program's all-time leaders in strikeouts as well.
Gates recorded a personal-best 85 strikeouts last year and brought her career ERA down to 2.90, the lowest on the 2012 roster.
"Alex and Bridget have all the tools to be successful," said Rakosik of the pitching duo. "They've proven in games that they can produce wins and do a lot of things on the field. We'd really like to see them lead from the mound and be a catalyst for the beginning of our success."
Sophomore Courtney Conover made 10 relief appearances in her debut season and is expected to make an even bigger impact this spring.
"She's been working very hard and has really improved her game specifically to adjust for the college hitters and the college game," said Rakosik. "Courtney is a student of the game and it shows on the field."
CATCHER - There is no shortage of possibilities behind the plate. Anchoring the group is senior captain Meredith Dickson. Despite making just five starts at catcher last season while playing behind recent graduates Elyse Colmenero and Kara Sullivan, Dickson brings a steady leadership to the field.
"She's a player that every coach would want to have on and off the field. She's put in all the hard work to make herself a stronger player," praised Rakosik. "We're looking for her to add to our offense, and give us some RBIs and some versatility with short game and the ability to move runners."
Supporting Dickson will be a pair of freshmen in Kristen Zahn and Alex Wells. Zahn brings valuable offensive power to the table as well as a great knowledge of the game and the ability to push Bucknell's pitchers. Wells' strong points include solid fundamentals that will serve her well as she gains experience both in practice and game situations.
FIRST BASE - With sophomores Conover and Sophia Geraci and freshmen Nikki Silva and Erin Cox looking to get in the mix, Bucknell will look to fill the first base slot with the player who provides both solid offense and defense most consistently. Spending time behind Ford in the lineup last season, Geraci made 24 appearances and 18 starts at first base. She hit .212 at the plate and showed flashes of things to come.
"She is someone who has unbelievable power potential, can hit the long ball, can drive the gaps, and when she's on, she's definitely on," Rakosik said of Geraci. "We're looking for her to improve from last year and make adjustments on a daily basis. We'd really like to see her come along and be able to help the team score runs and be a leader on the field."
The left-handed Conover will split time between the mound and first and should provide the team with a vocal leadership at both positions.
Rakosik identifies Silva as a hard working player who is "not afraid to get dirty, put her nose down and go to work" both offensively and defensively. A clutch hitter, Cox can be counted on to strive for improvement as she begins her career with the Bison.
"She is a player that is looking to perfect her game, and she's very versatile, too. Erin can do a lot of things, so that makes her a very agile first baseman."
SECOND BASE - As one of Bucknell's most experienced positions, second base will be covered by Laura Sandford and Mary Horton. Sandford enjoyed additional playing time a year ago, splitting her time at second, shortstop and designated player. The junior did not make a error in the middle infield as she grew into her new role.
"She's leading by example and is definitely a vocal leader," said Rakosik. "We`re looking for her to continue to be a confident player on the field and help us offensively. She definitely improved her range and knows the game."
Horton has had a hand in a little bit of everything during her career. In addition to her 20 appearances at second base last spring, the junior also improved her batting average to .287, connected for five doubles, which was the most of any Bucknell non-senior, and was 3-for-3 in stolen bases.
"She's a player that's fun to watch and can make things happen," lauded Rakosik. "She's extremely athletic and one of the hardest workers on the team. Mary has the ability to hit to all fields. We're looking for her to continue to progress and find the gaps and find ways to get on base to help us with her speed."
SHORTSTOP - Horton will also get a look at shortstop along with sophomore Mallory Lyons and freshman Cydnee Sanders.
"We're looking to really find that mix on the field that can help us and also anchor the infield while giving us some nice offense," said Rakosik.
Lyons made her first 21 career appearances in the field at shortstop before finishing the season primarily at third base. Bucknell will also look for immediate contributions from Sanders.
"Cydnee comes in being very experienced at the shortstop position," said Rakosik. "Her strengths are her quickness and her range. She has a very strong arm. She's definitely a composed player on the field, which helps at shortstop."
THIRD BASE - Another quartet in Silva, Lyons, Colie Escobar and Kasey Segiel will shore up the hot corner. The veteran of that group, Lyons made 10 of her last 11 field appearances there.
"Mallory has a really good glove, good hands and can handle that position," said the head coach. "Offensively, it's been really good to see Mallory come along. She's been putting the work in at practice, and it's been paying off when it comes to live reps and live at-bats."
To go along with her solid glove, freshman Escobar brings impressive speed and power to the Bison. Bucknell will look to her and Zahn in particular to give the team additional base stealing options.
Lyons' sophomore classmate Segiel, who made three appearances at third base as a rookie, is also expected to break into the lineup more regularly as she continues to gain consistency at the plate.
OUTFIELD - The Bison have a corps of eight to choose from when filling in the outfield positions. Among those who will be relied on early are juniors Kathryn Wilkinson and Cassie Greenhawk and sophomore Caryn Connors. Wilkinson returned from a knee injury without missing a beat and saw action at all three outfield positions during her sophomore campaign.
"Her footwork just puts her right where she needs to be at this level," Rakosik praised. "She has an extremely strong arm, and offensively she's a clutch player."
Greenhawk saw most of her playing time last spring as a pinch runner, but she is no stranger to the outfield having also played all three outfield positions. The speedy Greenhawk provides an offensive weapon for the Bison as well.
"She's a left-handed slapper option," explained Rakosik. "She's looking to continue to gain versatility with that, having some power but also reading the defense and doing what needs to be done to place the ball."
A blue-collar player, Connors has moved exclusively to the outfield this season and is looking for her first opportunities in the field. Conover will also see some playing time in the outfield as will Dickson when she's not behind the plate.
Tori Robinson is one of three Bison rookies who are expected to make an outfield contribution. Rakosik praised the California native's strong softball background.
"She has really strong footwork and fundamentals, an accurate arm and tons of power potential at the plate."
While Zahn is the more experienced outfielder of the two, she and Escobar will also be in the mix due to their speed and fundamentals.
