Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Sacred Heart
Bucknell Softball Takes Two Losses in Rebel Spring Games Opener
3/10/2012 7:00:00 AM | Softball
March 10, 2012
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KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Mallory Lyons connected for a two-run home run in the first inning of the first game, but the offense could not keep pace as Bucknell softball fell 6-2 to Fairleigh Dickinson and 5-0 to Sacred Heart at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., on Saturday morning. Meredith Dickson also finished the opening day of the Spring Break trip 3-for-5 at the plate for the Bison (2-7).
Dickson was the first make some noise at the plate. Against the Knights (7-0), the senior singled through the left side in the first inning. That brought Lyons to the plate with only one out. She then snuck one over the fence in right field to make the score 2-0.
Bucknell was unable to get another run after that despite having at least one baserunner in each of the next two innings. It wasn't until the third frame that Fairleigh Dickinson got on the board. After two strong defensive plays from Mary Horton, Bucknell looked as if it would be out the inning quickly. The Knights recorded back-to-back singles, however, and a rundown led to an error on the Bison. By the end of the third, Fairleigh Dickinson had tied it up, but neither of its runs was earned.
Three more runs for Fairleigh Dickinson in the fifth inning, all coming off a home run from Bryana Dorado, gave the Knights a 5-2 edge. They then added an insurance run in the sixth. At the end of the contest, the Knights had six runs on 10 hits, while the Bison had two scores off four hits.
Bridget Gates (0-3) took the loss for Bucknell in the pitchers' circle. The junior struck out three and walked four in her complete game. Caitlin Bradac earned the win with seven strikeouts and one walk while also going the full seven innings.
Bucknell was unable to turn the tides in the second game of the day. The Bison were retired in order in each of the first two innings, and Nicole Sidor recorded three strikeouts for the Pioneers during that stretch. Sacred Heart also tallied two doubles in the second to take an early 1-0 lead.
Sidor, who ultimately earned the win with the complete-game shutout, totaled seven strikeouts in the contest. She did not allow a walk.
It was then Alex MacLean's turn to retire the side in back-to-back innings, giving Bucknell a look at getting back in the mix. The junior was unable to hang on in the fifth, however. Sacred Heart sent seven batters to the plate, four Pioneers recorded hits and another was hit by a pitch. By the time they took the field again, they had increased their lead to 4-0.
The fifth and final run came in the sixth inning as Liz Tsipouras sent a home run to left field. It was her second hit of the day after she doubled and scored in the second.
Three different Bison recorded hits against the Pioneers. Cydnee Sanders, Dickson and Horton all posted singles. None of them were able to advance into scoring position.
MacLean took the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits. She also struck out one.
Bucknell will be back in action in Kissimmee tomorrow. The Bison will take on Fairfield (3 p.m.) and Youngstown State (5 p.m.).
