Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Baseball Travels to James Madison for Weekend Series
2/23/2012 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell baseball team will begin a four-game weekend series in Harrisonburg, Va., on Friday when the Bison take on James Madison. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. The teams will continue the series Saturday with a doubleheader before wrapping up the weekend with a single game Sunday.
The Bison opened their 2012 schedule last weekend in Davidson, N.C., against La Salle and Niagara. Bucknell defeated the Purple Eagles 8-4 in the nightcap after dropping the opener to the Explorers. In that game against Niagara, Bucknell was led to victory by sophomore southpaw Dan Weigel, who pitched seven strong innings, and senior center fielder Bob Donato, who recorded three hits and three RBIs. The Bison took advantage of a five-run fourth inning and led 8-1 entering the final frame to get their first win of the season.
Bucknell pitchers currently boast an impressive 2.65 ERA after Weigel held Niagara to one unearned run over his seven innings that included eight strikeouts, only one walk and four hits en route to his first career victory in his first career starting assignment. Four of the six Bison hurlers to make an appearance last weekend finished with a 0.00 ERA.
Bucknell is off to its best two-game start in eight seasons. The Bison also started the 2004 campaign 1-1 after splitting the first two games against James Madison - their lone all-time win against the Dukes - on their way to a stellar 8-3 start to the season.
Bucknell was denied a chance to get above .500 when its Sunday matchup at Davidson was cancelled due to the weather forecast.
The Bison will face a James Madison squad in the midst of an 11-game home stand. The Dukes are 1-2-1 on the season and are coming off a 13-7 victory over Longwood in their home opener on Wednesday. James Madison, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and posted a 2-2 record in the Chapel Hill Regional, is hitting .268 as a team and has a 5.18 ERA.
Bucknell will make its home debut next weekend when it hosts a three-game series against Niagara at Depew Field. The series will start with a Saturday, March 3, doubleheader. First pitch is slated for noon.
