Bucknell University
Houston Baptist
Bucknell Softball Uses Extra Innings to Split Doubleheader at Houston Baptist
3/11/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2013
HOUSTON - Bucknell softball won yet another game in extra innings as it opened a doubleheader with a 9-7 decision in eight frames at Houston Baptist on Monday afternoon, but the momentum didn't carry over into the nightcap as the Bison fell 6-1 to split with the Huskies. Bucknell (4-9) will continue its Spring Break trip through Texas tomorrow with two more games at Lamar, set for 2 p.m. Eastern.
Three of Bucknell's four wins this season have come in extra innings. The Bison are 3-2 in games that go to additional frames.
Game one saw plenty of scoring and the lead went back and forth throughout the game. Bucknell had the last laugh with two runs in the top of the eighth. Erin Cox was hit by a pitch to give the Bison their first baserunner in the inning, and the sophomore eventually scored as Colie Escobar put a triple into right center.
As the Bison got to the top of the lineup, Escobar was able to score an insurance run on a groundout. Escobar finished the game 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
The ultimate lead of 9-7 was hardly Bucknell's first of the game. The Bison had a 4-1 advantage on the Huskies after three innings, thanks in part to a two-out, two-run homer from Mariah Midyette in the third. It was the freshman's second home run of the year.
Houston Baptist tied the game at four runs apiece in the fifth to start a trade-off of scoring to tire out the scoreboard. Bucknell regained its lead in the sixth with three runs of its own, none of them earned, putting it back in front 7-4.
Despite having the end in sight, Bucknell could not quite seal the deal right away. The Huskies plated three more in the bottom of the seventh despite recording just one hit and one walk. The Bison committed three errors in the inning, allowing Houston Baptist to get back in the hunt and cause some extra play.
Bucknell's defense regrouped for the eighth and solid pitching from Dana Nielsen gave the Bison their fourth win of the year. Nielsen recorded her first career save after pitching 1.0 inning without allowing a hit or a run. She was the third Bison in the circle for the Bison, which got the win from Amanda Fazio. Fazio (3-4) gave up four earned runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings of work. The freshman also struck out two and walked one.
Sarah Shotton (2-2) took the loss for Houston Baptist, pitching 3.0 innings in relief. Shotton gave up one earned run on one hit and struck out two.
By the start of game two, it was the Huskies who were able to regroup fastest. Houston Baptist took a 2-0 lead in the first after Sarah Herman connected for a two-run homer. The Huskies tagged Nielsen for three home runs in the second game, adding one in the fourth and fifth inning.
Bucknell's lone run in the finale came in the top of the fourth, but by that point Houston Baptist already had a three-run lead. Midyette led off the frame with a single and came home on a double off the bat of Tori Robinson. Midyette totaled three runs in the day's two games, leading the Bison.
Nielsen (1-4) took the pitching loss for Bucknell. The freshman gave up five runs on five hits. Keely Shuler (3-2) earned the win, allowing one run on six hits. Both pitchers threw complete games.
Cydnee Sanders hit 3-for-7 at the plate, including 2-for-4 in game one, against Houston Baptist. That extends the sophomore's hitting streak to a team-best five games. Cassie Greenhawk and Mary Horton have also reached base in five straight games, tying the trio for the longest current streak.
