Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Marshall
Softball Drops Pair of Games on Final Day of Pirate Clash
2/14/2015 5:13:00 PM | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Bucknell wrapped up the Pirate Clash at East Carolina with a pair of losses on Saturday, falling to Marshall 11-3 in six innings and to Towson 7-2 in eight innings. Despite the losses, the Bison exit the weekend with a 5-3 record after opening the season with five straight wins.
Marshall 11, Bucknell 3 (6 innings)
Marshall pulled away with seven runs in the final three innings in a 10-2 win over Bucknell in the Bison's first game of the day. Thundering Herd starting pitcher Jordan Dixon went all six innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits and no walks while striking out 11.
Bucknell was in the game for the first three innings. After giving up four runs in the top of the first, the Bison responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs, senior Cydnee Sanders singled to left field to help start a small rally. She and senior Kristen Zahn later scored on a fielding error.
Sanders, freshman Meghan Kovac and freshman Christina Martinez all had singles for the Bison. Junior Amanda Fazio, freshman Taylor Langtry and junior Cindy Cherness all saw time in the circle. Fazio started and took the loss, dropping to 2-1 on the season.
Marshall's top two hitters in the lineup set the tone for its offensive outburst. Leadoff hitter Morgan Zerkle was a perfect 5-for-5 with a home run, three RBIs and four runs scored. Kaelynn Green, batting in the second spot, was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Towson 7, Bucknell 2 (8 innings)
Towson broke a 1-1 tie with six runs in the eighth inning to hand Bucknell its third loss of the season. The Bison added a run in their half of the extra inning but fell 7-2 in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
Bucknell was no hit through the first five innings, but found themselves down just one run going into the bottom of the sixth thanks to an outstanding game from starting pitcher Dana Nielsen. The junior pitched the first 6 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on six hits and one walk while striking out five. She re-entered the game in the eighth inning and gave up one run.
The Bison took advantage of Nielsen's performance and tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore Jacee Almond got things started with a one-out infield single. Pinch-runner Carolyn Wan stole second, advanced to third on a groundout by Chaylen Andolino, and scored on a fielding error on a ball hit by Sanders.
“I was proud of the team's adjustment on defense from the first game to the second game today,” said Bucknell head coach Bonnie Skrenta. “Dana pitched a great seven innings, and Towson did an awesome job in extra innings. A one-hit game where we are in it to the end this early in the season gives us a lot of promise for our defense.”
Up next for the Bison is the Chanticleer Showdown at Coastal Carolina University. They are set to play Sacred Heart and Boston College on Saturday, Feb. 21, and Sacred Heart and Murray State on Sunday, Feb. 22.
