Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Horton Named to Preseason All-Patriot League Softball Team
2/4/2013 7:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 4, 2013
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell softball is nearly two weeks out from the start of its 2013 campaign, but already Mary Horton (Plantation, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) has claimed the first honor of the season for the Bison. The senior infielder was named to the inaugural Preseason All-Patriot League Team on Monday. Bucknell was also selected fifth in the league's preseason poll.
Horton proved to be one of Bucknell's bright spots in the lineup last spring. As a junior, she led the team in batting average at .313 as well as runs scored (14), walks (13) and doubles (5). She was also a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts. Horton started 37 of 38 games, anchoring the middle infield defensively. She capped off her season with a First Team All-Patriot League citation as a utility player.
The Preseason All-Patriot League Team was added for most sports in 2012-13. Members were selected based on a vote of head coaches and sports information directors who cannot vote for their own student-athletes. Twelve players are selected for softball. Lehigh swept the preseason major awards with both the Player of the Year in catcher Liz Lucas and Pitcher of the Year in Rebecca Bliss.
Bucknell was also voted to finish fifth in the preseason poll, the same position in which they finished 2012. The Bison totaled 17 points, just ahead of Holy Cross (15). Leading the way was Lehigh in first with 47 points and seven first-place votes. Army was chosen second with 45 points and five first-place votes. They were followed by Colgate (34) and Lafayette (22) in third and fourth, respectively.
The preseason poll was also determined by a vote of head coaches and sports information directors who cannot vote for their own team.
Bucknell finished the 2012 season with an 11-34 record overall and a 5-15 mark in the Patriot League. The 2013 season marks the debut of first-year head coach Bonnie Skrenta. Skrenta will begin her Bucknell career at the CSU Dome Tournament Feb. 16-17. The Bison will take on the host Cleveland State as well as St. Bonaventure, Canisius in Cleveland, Ohio, in their opening weekend.
Patriot League Softball Preseason Poll
1. Lehigh - 47 points (7 first-place votes)
2. Army - 45 (5)
3. Colgate - 34
4. Lafayette - 22
5. Bucknell - 17
6. Holy Cross - 15
Preseason Player of the Year - Liz Lucas, Lehigh, Sr., C
Preseason Pitcher of the Year - Rebecca Bliss, Lehigh, Sr.
Preseason All-League Team
Alex Reynolds, Army, Sr., 2B
Amanda Nguyen, Army, Jr., OF
Morgan Lashley, Army, So., P
Mary Horton, Bucknell, Sr., IF/OF
Emmie Dolfi, Colgate, Sr., 1B
Tera Vaughn, Colgate, Jr., OF
Sam Fregenti, Holy Cross, Sr., 1B/DP
Alex Gustafson, Holy Cross, Jr., 3B
Rebecca Bliss, Lehigh, Sr., P
Liz Lucas, Lehigh, Sr., C
Rosie Roessel, Lehigh, Sr., OF
Emily Bausher, Lehigh, So., P
