Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Colgate
Bison Rally for 3-1 Win Over Colgate in Patriot League Tournament Opener
5/7/2015 8:38:00 PM | Softball
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Kristen Zahn received her Patriot League Player of the Year award prior to the game and then showed why she deserved it in Bucknell's 3-1 win over Colgate in the opening round of the Patriot League Tournament. Zahn had two hits, including the start of a late rally, and a great defensive play to lead the Bison to the victory on Thursday at Lehigh's Leadership Park.
Second-seeded Bucknell advances to play top-seeded Lehigh on Friday at 10:35 a.m. The Mountain Hawks posted a 4-0 win over fourth-seeded Army West Point in the tournament's opening game. They also swept the season series with the Bison this year, but were eliminated by head coach Bonnie Skrenta's squad at last year's conference tournament.
Bucknell broke a 1-1 tie against third-seeded Colgate with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, a rally that was started by Zahn and finished with a two-run single by Christina Martinez. Zahn led off the inning with a single up the middle for her second hit of the game. Meghan Kovac attempted to move her to second with a sacrifice bunt but was unable to get it laid down. She more than made up for that by ripping a two-strike pitch through the left side of the infield to put runners on first and second with no outs. Erin Cox followed with a perfect sacrifice bunt, and Martinez made it count by poking one to opposite field, scoring both runs with a single.
Amanda Fazio pitched four innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win, improving to 18-10 on the season. She gave up just one hit, walked one batter and struck out four. She faced little trouble until the final inning. Holding on to the two-run lead, she got the first two batters out, including a diving play by Maddie Minneci at second base for the second out. Following a walk, Colgate had the tying run reach first on an error. Fazio got the next batter to ground out to Cydnee Sanders at short to end the game.
Dana Nielsen started and pitched the first three innings for Bucknell. She pitched well, giving up just the one run on back-to-back doubles by Brigit Ieuter and Alex Gadiano in the second inning. She gave up five hits, walked one and struck out two batters.
Colgate nearly extended its lead in the third inning, but Zahn made a defensive play that helped change the momentum of the game. With two outs and runners on first and second, Holly Geranen singled up the middle. Mariel Schlaefer attempted to score from second but was easily thrown out by a great throw from Zahn in center field.
Bucknell tied the game with an unearned run in the fifth inning. Carolyn Wan led off with a nice hustle play that led to her reaching first on a throwing error. Chaylen Andolino did her part with a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second. Wan then scored on a wild play on a fielder's choice groundout to shortstop by Fazio. Wan took off for third on the throw and then headed home on an errant throw to third. The Colgate left fielder did a nice job of backing up the play, but her throw home bounced off the Bison runner.
Thursday marked Bucknell's first win in the opening round of the Patriot League Tournament since 2010. That team went on to win the league title. The Bison have won 15 of their past 16 games since their regular season series at Lehigh.
