Bucknell University
La Salle
Bucknell Softball Answers La Salle's Shutout with its own 7-0 Victory in the Finale
4/2/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 2, 2013
PHILADELPHIA - Bucknell softball had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of performance in its split with La Salle in Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon. After falling 8-0 in five innings in game one of the doubleheader, the Bison (8-21) bounced back in the nightcap to blank the Explorers 7-0. Seven different players scored, including Erin Cox who connected for her first career home run, and Amanda Fazio pitched a two-hit shutout in the finale.
Cox went 1-for-3 in game two, but the sophomore reached base three times and registered two RBI. She was the first base runner of the game, walking to lead off the second inning. Although she was unable to score after being thrown out at the plate, Mariah Midyette was able to turn her walk into a run and a 1-0 lead for the Bison.
Laura Sandford made it a 2-0 game in the third inning when she scored on an error. Neither of Bucknell's runs to this point were earned and by the end of the game, only three of the seven would be.
The biggest offensive push for Bucknell came in the sixth inning when it scored four runs on three hits. Colie Escobar led off the frame with a base hit, and Courtney Conover and Kristen Zahn followed by reaching on an error and a fielder's choice, respectively. All three eventually scored. Mary Horton plated two with a double, while Cydnee Sanders logged a two-out RBI single to set the score at the final of 7-0.
Despite Bucknell outhitting La sale (12-13) 8-2 in the second game of the day, Sanders was the only Bison to finish with multiple hits at 2-for-3.
Fazio (5-10) secured the second shutout of her career and her two hits allowed was her fewest in a game this season. She also struck out a career-best nine batters. Fazio continued her stretch of precise pitching by not giving up a walk in 7.0 innings. She has never allowed more than two walks in a single appearance and has given up just three in her last seven outings combined.
Both hits Fazio allowed were doubles. La Salle had five base runners during game two and all five reached scoring position. All five were also left stranded.
The Explorers did not have that problem in the day's opener. La Salle registered 10 hits compared to Bucknell's three and scored in four of the five innings played. Each of the first three batters in the Explorers' lineup finished with a multi-hit game and few did more damage than Kendra Heyer. The outfielder went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and three RBI. Heyer kicked off the scoring in the first with a home run.
Heyer finished her day with an RBI double in the fourth, knocking Bison pitcher Dana Nielsen from the game. Nielsen went 3.1 innings and gave up four earned runs on seven hits. The freshman also struck out three, but La Salle had a 6-0 run by the time her appearance came to a close. Cindy Cherness finished up for the Bison in the pitchers' circle. The Explorers scored two more runs on Cherness' watch, but both were unearned. She did allow three hits in 0.2 innings of work.
Bucknell's hits in game one were sprinkled throughout. Horton had the most success against Mary Cate Scott, hitting 2-for-3. The Bucknell senior also had two stolen bases and got into scoring position each time, but both times was left stranded. Cox was 1-for-2 in the game.
Bucknell will remain on the road for its next series. The Bison will travel to Hamilton, N.Y., to take on Colgate Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.).
