Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Softball Edged by Lafayette, Drops 2-1 Decision
4/6/2014 4:07:00 PM | Softball
Lafayette 2, Bucknell 1
EASTON, Pa. – The Bucknell softball team concluded its three-game series with Lafayette on Sunday afternoon, dropping a narrow, 2-1 decision to the home team on the Lafayette Softball Field. The Bison fell to 14-16 overall and 6-3 in Patriot League play with the defeat, having lost one game to each of the three conference foes that they have faced, while the Leopards improved to 4-21 overall and 2-7 in the league with the win.
“Games like today's make the Patriot League what it is,” commented head coach Bonnie Skrenta. “Lafayette really only had one chance in the sixth, but the team capitalized on it, and the closer maintained her composure in the seventh to secure the win. Every game means something in this league and can go either way.”
Sophomores Cheyanna Young and Mariah Midyette each hit 2-for-3 in the contest, while junior Cydnee Sanders was 1-for-2 and scored Bucknell's lone run. Senior Courtney Conover also recorded a hit, helping the Bison to a 6-5 hitting advantage over the Leopards.
The first three innings of the day were relatively quiet, as starting pitcher Dana Nielsen kept Lafayette from registering a hit, and Bucknell was prevented from advancing a runner past second base. Sanders put herself in scoring position with a double to center field in the top of the fourth, however. The junior advanced to third on a ground out, and then Young hit a single to the pitcher, driving Sanders in to give the Bison a 1-0 lead.
Lafayette registered a double to left field with two outs in the bottom of the stanza, but Nielsen struck out the next batter, protecting Bucknell's edge. Both teams were scoreless in the fifth, and the Bison were unable to register a hit in the top of the sixth, providing the Leopards with the opportunity they needed. A single to right center drove in two runs and put the pressure on the Bison in their final at-bat.
Young and Midyette each hit a single to start the inning, putting runners on second and third, but freshman Carolyn Wan, who pinch ran for Young, was tagged out at the plate on a fielder's choice. Junior Tori Robinson advanced to second on the throw, still keeping two runners in scoring position, but the Leopards protected the plate on the next play as well, tagging out senior Kasey Segiel, who had come in to run for Midyette. A fly out to center field ended the inning, handing the Bison a 2-1 loss.
Nielsen pitched 5.1 innings for Bucknell, allowing three hits and one earned run. The sophomore also recorded five strikeouts and walked one batter. Sophomore Cindy Cherness came in to face four batters in the sixth, allowing two hits and the winning run to receive the loss.
Bucknell will return to Becker Field next weekend for another home Patriot League series, and will welcome first-place Lehigh to Lewisburg. The Bison, who currently sit in third place in the conference, are set to play a doubleheader with the Mountain Hawks on Saturday, April 12 and a single game on Sunday, April 13. First pitch on both days is scheduled for 12 p.m., and a radio broadcast of Saturday's twin bill will be available on WVBU 90.5 and BucknellBison.com.
