Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Softball Clinches Patriot League Tournament Berth with Four-Game Sweep at Holy Cross
4/28/2013 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 28, 2013
WORCESTER, Mass. - For the first time since 2010, Bucknell softball clinched a berth in the Patriot League Tournament, sweeping Holy Cross 4-3 and 7-6 (9 inn.) at Worcester, Mass., on Sunday. Kristen Zahn totaled three RBI and drove in the game-winning run in the day's opener to guarantee the Bison a postseason spot, and Cydnee Sanders scored the deciding run in the finale to give her team its sixth consecutive victory.
Bucknell entered Sunday needing at least one win to advance to the Patriot League Tournament. By meeting that goal, the Bison will be seeded third in the postseason. They join No. 1 Lehigh, No. 2 Army and No. 4 Colgate in Bethlehem, Pa. The tournament runs May 9-11.
The four-game sweep over Holy Cross, which was Bucknell's first since 2008, improves the Bison's record to 20-28 overall and 11-9 in the Patriot League. It is the first 20-win season since 2010. That was also the last year that Bucknell totaled 11 league victories.
On Sunday, Bucknell got a big boost from the top of its lineup. Sanders finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles at the plate and Cassie Greenhawk went 2-for-3 with three runs scored at the top two spots in the batting order. Batting third, Zahn was 2-for-4 with a single and a triple.
Zahn's first hit, a single to center field, scored two teammates and gave Bucknell a 3-0 lead in the third inning. After Holy Cross (13-31, 7-11 PL) threatened in the fourth with a two-run homer, Zahn gave her team a bit more breathing room in the bottom half of the frame. The sophomore connected for a triple down the right field line for 4-3 and put the win out of the Crusaders' reach.
Greenhawk was one of the key players to benefit from Zahn's hitting. After singling in the third and fifth inning, the senior scored on each of Zahn's hits. Greenhawk finished her day by scoring in each of her first three plate appearances, which also included a fielder's choice bunt on the first inning that turned into a run on Erin Cox's RBI double.
That turned out to be the first of many hits on the day for Cox. In game two, the sophomore went 4-for-4. The performance included driving in the game-winning run on an outfield single in the ninth inning. It was her third RBI after she also drilled a two-run homer to left field in the fifth inning.
Cox's home run put Bucknell in front 5-4 in what was a back-and-forth battle in the finale. The Bison lead did not last long as Holy Cross went up 6-5 in the bottom half of the fifth, although both runs were unearned. Momentum did not stick with the Crusaders into the sixth, however. Sophia Geraci helped tie the game at 6-6, doubling in the top of the sixth and setting the stage for the pinch-running Lauren Swindell to score on an error.
The 6-6 tie held until the ninth inning when Sanders scored on Cox' single. Sanders had singled to reach base, giving the sophomore her third hit of the contest. Sanders went 3-for-5 with three runs scored in the nightcap. As a team, Bucknell totaled 12 hits, while Holy Cross at 14.
Bucknell used all of its pitchers at one time or another during the doubleheader. Game one saw Amanda Fazio improve to 10-13 on the year after allowing three earned runs on three hits in 4.2 innings of work. She also struck out five. Dana Nielsen then earned the save, her second of the season, after pitching 2.1 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.
Bridget Gates started game two. The senior allowed two runs on seven hits in her first 3.0 innings before returning to the game to get the final three outs. Gates struck out six, including two in the ninth, and did not give up a walk. She earned her second save of the season and the fourth of her career, giving her the school record.
Cindy Cherness also threw 2.0 innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on five hits. She then gave way to Alex MacLean (1-0), who pitched 3.0 innings and allowed two hits and no runs. She also struck out four.
Gennifer Durham was the pitcher of record for Holy Cross in both games. She falls to 7-15 on the year.
All four of Bucknell's wins this weekend were one-run affairs after winning 2-1 and 1-0 yesterday. The Bison have now won their last six games, giving them their longest winning streak of the season. They have also won 11 of their last 15 contests.
