Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
MacLean Shuts Out Lafayette to Keep Bucknell Softball's Postseason Hopes Alive
4/28/2012 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 28, 2012
| BUY PHOTOS
EASTON, Pa. - Bucknell softball shut out Lafayette 2-0 in the second half of a doubleheader to keep its postseason hopes alive on Saturday. The Bison, which are now 10-33 overall and 4-14 in the Patriot League this season, must win both of tomorrow's final regular-season games to pass the Leopards (12-35, 6-12 PL) in the standings and advance to the conference tournament in May.
Bucknell put itself in a tight spot after losing Saturday's game one, 2-1. The loss meant that the Bison must win the final three games of the series to extend its season. They took one step closer to pulling off that feat in the nightcap when they blanked Lafayette in a three-hit shutout.
Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) was responsible for the shutout, her second of the season. Against the Leopards, the junior pitcher struck nine batters and walked four in the complete game. MacLean is now 5-21 on the season.
Offensively, Bucknell enjoyed production from several players. The first of the running scoring came in the third inning when Cassie Greenhawk (Oxford, Md./Easton) connected for a leadoff infield single. Cydnee Sanders (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West) followed with a single of her own, but it was Meredith Dickson (Fogelsville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) that drove in the first run. The senior put a base hit through the middle to give Bucknell the 1-0 lead.
Greenhawk ultimately finished the game 2-for-3 with a run scored while Dickson was 2-for-4, making them the only two Bison with multiple hits in the contest.
The Bison put a handful of runners in scoring position over the next few innings, including in the third when they loaded the bases with two outs. Nothing came of those opportunities, but Colie Escobar (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill East) gave Bucknell an insurance run in the top of the sixth. The freshman connected for her first career home run to lead off the inning and gave the Orange and Blue a 2-0 advantage.
Facing the loss, Lafayette earned just one base runner in the final two frames of the day, and MacLean retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Melissa Robinson (11-20) took the loss in game two after allowing two earned runs on seven hits. She struck out one and walked one in her second outing of the day. The Leopards pitcher also pitched a complete game in the opener where she had more luck both offensively and defensively. Robinson struck out nine batters and allowed five hits in her first appearance.
Mary Horton (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) was the first to get a hit off of Robinson as she singled up the middle to lead off the game. Mallory Lyons (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area) also led off the second inning with a single, but in each frame the Bison went down in order following the base hits. The third through sixth innings went much the same way as Bucknell was retired in order.
Not until the seventh inning did Bucknell's offense start to make some noise. Escobar bunted to reach base and eventually scored as Alex Wells (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough), who entered the game as a pinch hitter, singled to right field.
Wells' RBI single broke up Robinson's shutout bid, but the Leopards still had a 2-1 advantage. Both of Lafayette's runs came early in the game and both were unearned. Kristen Berger doubled with two outs in the bottom of the second. The hit drove in both Carly Feiro and Madeline Allen to give the Leopards the lead from the start.
Robinson, who led off the second inning with a single, finished the game 2-for-3 with a double at the plate to go along with her strong pitching performance.
Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) took the pitching loss for Bucknell despite not allowing an earned run. The junior has not given up an earned run in her last four appearances. On Saturday, she allowed six hits in 6.0 innings of work.
Bucknell and Lafayette will square off again tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. in the final doubleheader of the regular season. The Bison must win both games to advance to the Patriot League Tournament, while one win for the Leopards will assure them of the fourth seed.
