Bucknell University Athletics
Fazio Named Patriot League Pitcher of the Week for Third Time this Season
3/21/2016 3:50:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior pitcher Amanda Fazio is having one of the best statistical seasons in Bucknell softball history, and that continued during Bucknell's 10-game trip to Kissimmee, Florida last week. On Monday, she was named the Patriot League Pitcher of the Week after giving up just four earned runs in four starts in games against Rider, Indiana State and Albany.
Fazio pitched 25 innings in her four starts, which included a pair of shutouts against Rider. In the second game of the doubleheader with the Broncs, the senior lefty allowed just one hit across seven innings pitched, while striking out 11. She struck out a total of 23 batters and finished the week with a 1.12 ERA. Fazio also helped her cause on offense, recording a total of five hits, scoring three runs, and stealing eight bases.
Fazio's 6-6 record is not indicative of how dominant she has been this season. Her 1.10 ERA would rank second for a single-season in Bucknell history and currently ranks 12th in the nation. Six of the 11 players in front of her play on teams from the SEC. Fazio has 66 strikeouts and just nine walks. She also ranks 12th in the nation in least walks allowed per seven innings.
Led by Fazio, Dana Nielsen and Cindy Cherness, the Bucknell pitching staff has a team ERA of 2.24, which ranks 23rd in the country. They have combined for six shutouts. Fazio has earned three Patriot League Pitcher of the Week honors, while Cherness picked up one.
Bucknell, which is 14-10 after the spring trip, opens its home and league schedules this week when it hosts Holy Cross for a three-game series. The teams will play twice on Saturday with the first game starting at noon, and will conclude the series with one game on Sunday at noon.
