Bucknell University Athletics
Jacee Almond Earns First Patriot League Rookie of the Week Award of 2014 Season
2/25/2014 3:49:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell softball team opened up its 2014 campaign almost three weeks ago, playing to a 1-3 record at the Cleveland State Dome Tournament on Feb. 8 and 9, but the first set of Patriot League weekly awards weren't presented until Tuesday, and freshman Jacee Almond (Concord, Calif./Clayton Valley Charter) was honored as the conference's Rookie of the Week for her performance in the Bison's opening weekend.
Almond made her collegiate debut against Cleveland State, and started at first base in each of Bucknell's four games in the tournament. She went 3-for-3 in the team's eight-inning outing with Canisius, scoring three times and driving in three RBI. Two of her hits against the Golden Griffins were home runs. Almond followed up that impressive performance with another strong showing on Sunday, hitting a solo home run to go 1-for-2 against Robert Morris. The freshman was also walked against the Colonials, allowing her to score her fifth run of the weekend.
Almond finished the tournament with a team-high 1.182 slugging percentage, as well as a .364 batting average, a mark that ranks her second amongst the Bison. Her early season hitting also stands out considerably against Patriot League opponents, as she ranks first in the conference in slugging percentage and sixth in batting average. In addition, Almond put in quality time in the infield during Bucknell's first four games, compiling a .958 fielding percentage.
The Bison have been anxiously awaiting their return to action since the Lancer Leadoff Tournament was cancelled on Feb. 13 due to wintery weather, and the team will finally take to the field again this weekend for the UNCW Beach Bash. Bucknell will play a total of five games from Friday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 2, and will kick off the tournament on Friday morning with a 9 a.m. contest against Brown.
