Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Colgate
Softball Rallies for 8-6 Win Over Colgate in Patriot League Opener
3/28/2015 5:35:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell softball rallied with four unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to post an 8-6 comeback win over visiting Colgate on Saturday afternoon at Becker Field. The Bison improved to 19-10 overall, picking up a win in the first conference game of the season for both teams.
Bucknell led for most of the game before Colgate (4-10, 0-1 PL) erupted for four runs on five hits and one error in the top of the sixth inning to take a 6-4 lead. Amanda Fazio started and went the first 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs, before giving way to Dana Nielsen. The junior gave up just one unearned run and struck out three to pick up her fifth win of the season.
The Bison were running out of outs, trailing 6-4 with two down and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cydnee Sanders hit a ball to shortstop, but the throw to first was off line, allowing Carolyn Wan and Celina Antonellis to score runs that knotted the game at 6-6. Kristen Zahn followed with a two-run single through the left side to put the Bison up 8-6.
Nielsen walked the leadoff hitter in the top of the seventh, but got two groundouts before striking out the final batter of the game, leading the Bison to their third consecutive win.
“I'm excited for the team today,” said Bucknell head coach Bonnie Skrenta. “The game was played in some rough weather, and I'm happy how we handled the ups and downs of the game. Both Nielsen and Fazio worked hard to get batters out. We had opportunities to score earlier and we didn't, but when it came down to the end of the game the team focused and executed what we have been working on.”
The Bison had eight hits in the game, all singles, led by Zahn with three hits and two RBIs. Fazio, Meghan Kovac, Erin Cox, Christina Martinez, and Wan all chipped in with one single apiece. Kovac and Cox each drove in a run.
Four of Colgate's nine hits went for extra bases. Tara Grennan tripled, while Marisa Dowling, Gillian Murray, and Brigit Ieuter each had a double.
Bucknell took advantage of Colgate's miscues, scoring six unearned runs in the game. No matter how they got on base, the Bison were aggressive once they got there. They stole six bases, led by Fazio and Wan with two apiece. Fazio has 21 on the season, which ranks fourth on the team's single-season record book.
The teams will conclude the conference series with a doubleheader on Sunday. The first game is scheduled for noon at Becker Field.
