Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bucknell Softball's Fazio, Nielsen Combine for Pair of One-Hit Shutouts over Lafayette
4/13/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 13, 2013
| BUY PHOTOS
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Amanda Fazio and Dana Nielsen threw two of the best games in recent years, guiding Bucknell softball to back-to-back shutouts against Lafayette at Becker Field on Saturday afternoon. Both pitchers allowed just one hit and combined for 21 strikeouts as the Bison won 4-0 and 2-0, improving the team's record to 11-24 overall and 4-6 in the Patriot League.
Bucknell could not have asked for a better performance from Fazio in the day's opener. The freshman took a perfect game into the top of the seventh inning and had eight strikeouts. Lafayette (8-27, 2-8 PL) had managed to get just one ball out of the infield on a fly ball to right field in the fifth inning.
The second ball to reach the outfield ended the perfect game bid. Brittany Paul led off the seventh inning with a long single to left field but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Although the no-hitter was gone, Fazio still faced the minimum number of batters. She finished the game with nine strikeouts, no walks and one hit allowed in 7.0 innings. Fazio's record now stands at 7-12 on the year.
Saturday's outing was Fazio's third shutout in her last five appearances. She also blanked La Salle and Colgate in back-to-back appearances last week.
Nielsen did her best not to be outdone by her teammate when she took the field in game two. The second Bison freshman pitcher of the day allowed just one hit - a single in the third inning - and walked one. She also struck out a career-high 12 batters, a total that included two punchouts in five of seven innings. Nielsen's complete-game performance improved her record to 4-11.
While pitching was the story in both contests, Bucknell was not without its offensive highlights as well. Kristen Zahn hit 2-for-2 with a run and three RBI in the opener. The sophomore kicked off the scoring with a home run to straightaway center field, making it 2-0 in the first frame.
Zahn was responsible for the only other hit until the sixth inning when she singled up the middle in the fourth. By the time she made her third plate appearance, Bucknell again had a runner in scoring position. Zahn's sacrifice fly allowed Cassie Greenhawk to come home. A fourth and final run for the Bison scored in the bottom of the sixth as well. Erin Cox had singled through the left side and eventually scored on Lafayette's failed attempt to throw out a base stealer.
Bucknell ultimately had one of its better base stealing days. The Bison were 3-for-4 on the base paths in game one and a perfect 4-4 in the nightcap. Seven different Bison recorded those stolen bases, including Mary Horton, Cox and Mariah Midyette in the opener, followed by Greenhawk, Cydnee Sanders, Colie Escobar and Caryn Connors in the finale.
Bucknell's only runs in game two also came in the first and sixth innings. Greenhawk drew a walk in the first and eventually moved around the bases after stealing second and seeing the throw from the catcher go offline. Sanders drove Greenhawk home with a single. With Sanders still on base and two hit-by-pitches, Bucknell loaded the bases before the final out. The Bison could not advance the runners and ended the first with a 1-0 lead.
Bucknell sprinkled a few base runners throughout the next several innings, but it wasn't until the sixth that their offense paid off again. Midyette sent a shot over the right fielder's head and legged out a triple with one out. She later scored on an outfield base-hit from Cheyanna Young for 2-0.
The two-run game was all Bucknell needed with Lafayette's sluggish offense. Paul recorded both of the Leopards' hits on the day.
Shutouts have become common in recent showdowns between Bucknell and Lafayette. Three of last year's games, and seven of the last 10 contests between the two teams, have ended in shutouts.
Taking the pitching losses for Lafayette were Bryn Gornick in game one and Kaitlin Perrine in game two. Gornick (2-9) allowed three earned runs on six hits and had two strikeouts and two walks. Perrine (0-4) finished her day with two earned runs on four hits. She also struck out six and walked three.
Bucknell and Lafayette will conclude the series tomorrow at noon at Becker Field. The Bison will be looking for their first series win over the Leopards since 2010. Both games of the doubleheader will be carried on SportsJuice.com.
