Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Akron
Bucknell Earns 4-1 Win Over Manhattan, Drops 7-5 Decision to Akron
3/10/2014 12:23:00 AM | Softball
Game One: Akron 7, Bucknell 5
Game Two: Bucknell 4, Manhattan 1
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Bucknell softball team opened competition in the Rebel Spring Games on Sunday, splitting a pair of decisions at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Fla. The Bison began the day with a 7-5 loss to Akron before rallying back to earn a 4-1 win over Manhattan in their second contest of the tournament. At the end of the first of five days of contests, Bucknell has improved to a 3-8 overall record.
The Bison jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first against the Zips, as freshman Jacee Almond knocked one out of the park at the top of the order, but Akron responded with a five-run haul at the bottom of the inning to take a 5-1 lead over Bucknell.
After two scoreless innings, the Bison began to chip away at the Zips' lead in the fourth, when sophomore Mariah Midyette, who reached on a single to center field, was knocked in by Almond's blast to right field. Akron built its lead to 6-2 with a run in the bottom of the inning, but Bucknell pulled within three when junior Kristen Zahn, who got on base with a double to right center, scored on a ground out.
The Zips tallied their final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, taking a 7-3 lead into the sixth, and while the Bison scored once in each of the last two innings, it wasn't enough to overcome their opponent's early advantage. Senior Courtney Conover homered in the top of the sixth, and Zahn scored for the second time on another ground out in the last inning of the contest.
Sophomore Dana Nielsen received the loss against the Zips, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs and nine hits while striking out one and walking two. Freshman Lara Bean pitched one inning of relief, allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one.
Bucknell jumped out to another early lead in the second game of the day, scoring twice in the first inning against Manhattan. Senior Mallory Lyons came home on a Midyette single, while junior Cydnee Sanders, who reached on a single, crossed the plate on single by junior Erin Cox.
Scoring stalled until the top of the fifth, when the Jaspers got one back on a double, but a two-run bottom of the inning for the Bison sealed the 4-1 victory. Lyons and Sanders, who were both walked to start the inning, each scored on a single by Zahn.
Sophomore Amanda Fazio pitched three innings, allowing just two hits and also striking out a batter. Bean appeared for 1.2 innings of relief, earning the win, and sophomore Cindy Cherness pitched her first save of the season, striking out four batters in 2.1 innings in the circle to bring home the win for Bucknell.
Bucknell will return to action on Monday with two more contests in the Rebel Spring Games, The squad will open the day with a 9 p.m. contest against Howard and will conclude the second day of competition with a 1 p.m. game with Creighton.
