Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Robert Morris
Cox Hits Walk-Off Home Run in Softball's 9-8 Win Over Robert Morris
4/10/2015 8:48:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior Erin Cox hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Bucknell a 9-8 win over visiting Robert Morris in non-conference softball action Friday at Becker Field. The Bison improved to 20-17 overall with their second walk-off win over the Colonials this season.
Cox's team-leading seventh home run came on the second pitch of the inning. The right-handed batter drove it over the right-center field fence, ending the Bison's recent seven-game skid. It is the earliest they have reached 20 wins in a season since 2010.
Junior Dana Nielsen pitched 4 2/3 quality innings of relief to improve to 6-4 on the season. She allowed just one unearned run, giving up five hits and one walk while striking out four batters. She lowered her team-best ERA to 3.93.
Cox finished with two hits and four RBIs, as she helped the Bison jump out to a 4-2 lead with a three-run double in the bottom of the first inning. She then advanced to third on a single by Christina Martinez and scored on a throwing error when Martinez stole second.
Robert Morris came roaring back with a five-run third inning to take a 7-4 lead, but Bucknell immediately began chipping away at the deficit with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Meghan Kovac scored on a single by Mariah Midyette, and Cox, who was hit by a pitch, later scored on a wild pitch to pull the Bison within one, 7-6.
Trailing 8-6, Bucknell scored once in the fourth and tied the game with a run in the sixth. Sophomore Jacee Almond scored both runs after leading off both innings. She singled up the middle to start the fourth inning and later scored on a groundout to second base by senior Kristen Zahn. She scored the game-tying run in the sixth after leading off with a double and crossing the plate on another groundout to second by Zahn.
The two RBIs give Zahn 35 on the season, tying her with Angie Stackhouse (2004) and Lauren Litts (2006) for Bucknell's single-season record.
The Bison finished with 10 hits, led by Almond with three. Sanders singled twice to join Cox with two hits. Amanda Fazio, Martinez and Midyette had one single apiece.
Olivia Lorusso carried the offense for the Colonials, who dropped to 16-15 overall. She drove in the team's first five runs, including a three-run home run in the third inning.
Bucknell improved to 2-0 over Robert Morris this season. The Bison won the first meeting 6-5 when Zahn scored on a fielding error in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Bison are back at Becker Field on Saturday. They will host Binghamton (12-11) for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
