Bucknell University
Saint Francis (PA)
Bucknell Softball Beats the Rain, Saint Francis 3-2
4/24/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 24, 2013
| BUY PHOTOS
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Kristen Zahn drilled a game-winning home run to straightaway center, giving Bucknell softball a 3-2 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) at Becker Field on Wednesday night before the doubleheader's nightcap was eventually cancelled due to storms. Zahn hit 3-for-3 with two RBI in what turned out to be the final contest of the year at Becker Field. The Bison (16-28) now return their attention to the Patriot League schedule for a key series at Holy Cross this weekend.
Zahn is 6-for-7 in her last two games, including a 3-for-4 outing at Army on Sunday. On Wednesday, the sophomore sandwiched her home run with two singles. The first base hit came in the first inning. Zahn's shot through the left side allowed Cassie Greenhawk to score and gave Bucknell a 2-1 lead.
The Bison had fallen behind early, giving up an unearned run in the top of the first inning after Nielsen gave up a bases-loaded walk. The freshman pitcher got things under control for the third out, however, getting Chelsea Rex to ground out to get avoid any more trouble. That trouble came back in the second unfortunately, as Taylor Darneille led off the frame with a home run to right field.
The 2-2 tie did not last long as Zahn put the Bison back in front in the third inning with her home run. That score stood until the end as Nielsen calmed down. Nielsen allowed just two more hits and avoided any more walks before her day came to an end after 4.0 innings. She earned the win, improving to 7-12 on the year after allowing one earned run on four hits. Nielsen also struck out three and walked two. Bridget Gates earned her first save of the season after pitching three scoreless one-hit innings.
Zahn stayed perfect at the plate with a single up the middle in the fifth inning. She eventually earned her first stolen base of the season by swiping second.
When Bucknell and Saint Francis met last week in Loretto, Pa., Zahn combined to hit 2-for-7 with a two-run homer. She now has three total home runs on the year.
Bucknell totaled eight hits against Saint Francis (22-23) on Wednesday. Rex (6-6) ended up with the loss after surrendering each of those hits. She also allowed two earned runs, struck out four and recorded two hit batsmen. Cheyanna Young was hit each time, finishing the day for the Bison 0-for-1 despite reaching base twice.
Also finishing with a multi-hit game for Bucknell was Erin Cox. The sophomore was 2-for-3 with a double in the left-center field gap. Cydnee Sanders led off the game with a double in a nearly identical spot.
Game two was called with two outs in the top of the second inning. The Red Flash led 5-0 when storms moved in.
Bucknell and Saint Francis played a doubleheader on April 17. The Bison won the first game 4-3 and fell in the second 5-4. Including tonight's outcome, six of the last nine games between the two teams have been decided by one run.
Bucknell will next take on Holy Cross for a pair of doubleheaders beginning at noon April 27-28. The two teams are tied with a 7-9 Patriot League record in the final conference series of the regular season. The Bison must at least split the four-game series to have a chance at earning a postseason berth.
