Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bison Softball Stays Alive with Pair of One-Run Wins at Holy Cross
4/27/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 27, 2013
WORCESTER, Mass. - Bucknell softball came one step closer to making its first Patriot League Tournament in three years as it won both games of the opening doubleheader at Holy Cross 2-1 and 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Erin Cox hit a two-run homer for the win in game one and Cassie Greenhawk came scored the only run in the nightcap as the Bison improved to 18-28 overall and 9-9 in the Patriot League with just two contests remaining in the regular season.
Bucknell can clinch a berth in the Patriot League Tournament with either a win against Holy Cross or a Colgate win over Lehigh tomorrow. The Bison are looking for their first postseason appearance since winning the Patriot League Championship in 2010. Only one spot in the four-team field remains as Lehigh, Colgate and Army have already guaranteed trips to the tournament.
Bucknell needed at least a split in the series with Holy Cross (13-29, 7-11 PL) to keep their hopes of extending their season alive. The Orange & Blue's pair of one-run victories on Saturday did just that, but it was not always a sure thing.
Neither team scored in game one until Holy Cross plated a run in the bottom of the fifth innings. Alex Gustafson drove in a run with a two-out RBI single and gave the Crusaders their first and only lead of the day.
Bucknell took the lead away from Holy Cross in its very next turn at bat. Cassie Greenhawk reached on a bunt in the top of the sixth and Cox connected for her home run to left field with two outs on the board. It was Cox's third home run of the season and put the Bison in front for good, 2-1.
Bucknell totaled just two hits in the game, the first coming in the fifth from Laura Sandford. Sandford was the third base runner of the day for the Bison as the Crusaders' Gennifer Durham retired the side in order in each of the first three innings. Durham (7-13) eventually took the loss despite not allowing an earned run. She also had four strikeouts in her complete game.
Amanda Fazio improved to 9-13 in the pitchers' circle for Bucknell. The freshman gave up one run on four hits. She also struck out nine and walked two in 7.0 innings of work. Fazio now has 101 strikeouts on the year, tying for fifth at Bucknell in single-season punchouts.
Dana Nielsen continued the strong pitching for Bucknell in game two. Nielsen (8-12) allowed just one hit, a single in the bottom of the seventh, and struck out five in her complete-game shutout. It is the freshman's third shutout of the season, tying her for 10th in the record books.
Nielsen's performance also helped give Bucknell its ninth shutout of the season as a team. That is tied for the fifth-most in program history. No Bison squad has blanked an opponent 10 or more times since 1991 when Bucknell set the program record for single-season shutouts at 11.
After not plating its first run until late in game one, Bucknell did the opposite in the second contest of the day. The second batter to the plate, Greenhawk reached on a fielder's choice and later stole second base to get into scoring position.
Kristen Zahn followed with a single and then got caught in a rundown. The sophomore stayed alive long enough to allow Greenhawk to score and Bucknell took the 1-0 lead.
Bucknell put five more on base throughout the game, although only one of them reached scoring position and only one was the result of a hit. Cydnee Sanders led off the sixth inning with a double but was thrown out on a fielder's choice later in the frame.
After allowing the early run, Julia Barrett finished with the loss. The Holy Cross pitcher gave up three hits and struck out seven.
The series between Bucknell and Holy Cross concludes tomorrow with the doubleheader beginning at noon.
