Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Softball Ends Season with Split at Lafayette
4/29/2012 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 29, 2012
EASTON, Pa. - Bucknell softball shut out Lafayette for a second time in the four-game series, but a 2-0 loss in game one on Sunday ended the Bison's hopes of a postseason berth. After falling in the day's opener, Bucknell bounced back with a 1-0 victory in the finale to finish its season at 11-34 overall and 5-15 in the Patriot League.
Bucknell put runners in scoring position three times in the first game, but nothing came of the offensive threat. That changed for the better in game two. Erin Cox (La Quinta, Calif./La Quinta) led off the fourth inning with a double and later scored on an extra-base hit from Kasey Segiel (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). That gave the Bison the only run of the day despite the teams combining for 11 hits.
Cox closed out her rookie campaign on a high note, going 4-for-6 at the plate on Sunday. The freshman was 3-for-3 with two doubles in the second game alone. Three of Cox's five doubles this season came against Lafayette (13-36, 7-13 PL).
Bucknell's single run was enough to give the Bison the last word as Bridget Gates (Milford, Conn./Academy of Our Lady of Mercy Lauralton Hall) and Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) combined for the shutout. Gates gave up just two hits in 3.0 innings of work after earning the start. She has not allowed an earned run in each of her last five appearances.
MacLean (6-22) ultimately earned the win for Bucknell after going 4.0 innings in relief. Like her teammate, the junior gave up just two hits to the Leopards. She also struck out five batters and walked four. MacLean finishes the spring ranking first at Bucknell in single-season appearances (37) and starts (29) as well as ninth in innings pitched (148.0). On the career record lists, she is second in appearances (96) and starts (76), fourth in strikeouts (293), fifth in shutouts (7) and sixth in wins (27) and innings pitched (442.2).
While MacLean and Gates limited Lafayette's hits, the Leopards still found their way on base. The opportunities did not pay off, however, and Lafayette stranded 11 runners in the day's second game.
Just as she did on Saturday, Melissa Robinson (12-21) pitched both contests for Lafayette on Sunday. The sophomore took the loss in game two after allowing one earned run on seven hits in the complete game. Robinson had similar numbers in the opener with no earned runs on four hits in 7.0 innings of work, but she had the offensive support to give her her 12th win of the season.
Gwen Turner was responsible for much of the run production early in the day. The outfielder was 4-for-4 and scored both runs for the Leopards. Lafayette jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Turner singled to right field and scored on an infield hit from Lauren Murphy. Turner later tripled in the third inning and was brought home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jordan Parsons.
Turner also had singles in the fourth and sixth innings. In both of Sunday's games combined, she finished 7-for-7 at the plate.
Bucknell saw its own offensive opportunities with runners in scoring position on three occasions. In the second inning, Mallory Lyons (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville Area) drew a walk then advanced to third on a double from Cox. Kristen Zahn (Readington, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) hit a leadoff single in the fifth inning. After stealing second base, the freshman advanced to third thanks to Mary Horton's (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) single. As no Bison made it past third base, Bucknell took its 16th loss by shutout this year.
Horton finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate. The junior closed out her season hitting a team-best .313 and led the Bison in runs scored (14) and walks (13). Her five doubles also tied Lyons and Cox for the team high, while her 36 hits equaled the high mark along with Meredith Dickson (Fogelsville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh).
