Softball Travels to Winter Haven, Florida for 10 Games

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell softball team has a busy schedule ahead of it as it travels to Winter Haven, Florida for 10 games over six days, beginning with a doubleheader against Presbyterian and Florida A&M on Sunday. Other opponents during the trip include Niagara, Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Saint Peter's, Albany, Valparaiso and Hampton.

The Bison make the trip south with an overall record of 10-6, including wins in five of their past six games. Below are some notes about the team as it prepares for the final stretch of games preceding league play.

Fazio and Sanders Pacing the Offense
- Junior Amanda Fazio and senior Cydnee Sanders are both batting over .400 through 16 games this season. Fazio is hitting .410 and has an on-base percentage of .477. She has taken advantage of her ability to get on base, stealing 12 bases on 15 attempts. Sanders is batting .407 with four doubles and 12 RBIs. She has struck out just once in 61 plate appearances.

Five Players Provide the Power
- The Bison have 11 home runs this season, led by senior Erin Cox with four. Senior Kristen Zahn has three, sophomore leadoff batter Jacee Almond has smacked two homers, while sophomore Christina Martinez and freshman Meghan Kovac have hit one apiece.

Getting on Base Any Way Possible
- Zahn has the second-highest on-base percentage on the team (.474), fueled by eight walks and seven hit-by-pitches. She also leads the team with 18 RBIs.

Nielsen and Fazio Lead the Pitching Staff
- Junior Dana Nielsen leads the team with a 3.09 ERA and has posted a record of 2-1 in eight appearances. She has struck out 22 batters and walked six. Fazio has picked up the wins for the Bison, going 6-2 in 12 appearances. She has a 3.97 ERA, has struck out 44 batters and walked 14.

Current Streaks
- Fazio has reached base in eight straight games.
- Zahn, Almond and freshman Madeline Minneci have reached base in five straight games
- Zahn has a five-game hitting streak
- Minneci, Almond and Sanders have four-game hitting streaks

Holding the Lead
- The Bison have not lost a game this season when they lead at the conclusion of any inning. They are 2-0 when leading after the first, 7-0 when they hold leads after the second and third innings, 6-0 after the fourth, 8-0 after the fifth and 6-0 after the sixth.

Miscellanous Notes
- The Bison are 10-for-20 with the bases loaded.
- Cox is 8-for-14 when leading off an inning
- The Bison are being out-scored 29-9 in the first inning, but respond in the second by out-scoring their opponents 23-4
- The Bison are a perfect 9-0 when out-hitting their opponent