Bison Softball Cruises to 7-1 Win over Valparaiso

Friday, February 22

Lynchburg, Va.

10 a.m.

Bucknell University

2-4

Valparaiso

1-6

Bucknell

Valparaiso

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Bison Softball Cruises to 7-1 Win over Valparaiso

2/22/2019 6:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Geffert fans 10 in complete-game effort

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Lauren Hadley collected two hits, including her first home run of the season, and Raeanne Geffert struck out 10 without yielding an earned run in a complete-game four-hitter in the circle, leading the Bucknell softball team to a 7-1 win over Valparaiso on Friday at the Liberty Softball Challenge. The tournament was disrupted by rain throughout the day, and Bucknell's second scheduled game against Wright State was postponed.

After Valpo (1-6) scratched out an unearned run with a two-out double from Taylor Herschbach in the bottom of the first inning, the Bison (2-4) took over the game with a five spot in the top of the second. With two on and one out, Ava Fairbanks ripped a two-run double up the alley in left-center field to give Bucknell the lead. Jess Hom followed with a bunt single and a stolen base, and then both runners scored when Allyse Volpe's fly ball was dropped in left field. Hom and Volpe later crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a fielders choice before the Crusaders escaped further damage with an inning-ending 9-3 double play.

Geffert settled in after the early run, retiring 10 straight batters in one stretch. Hadley provided some insurance with a leadoff homer to center field to start the fifth inning -- Bucknell's first long ball of the season -- and later in the frame the Bison took advantage of another Valpo error to score their seventh run. Taylor Wolfgang drew a walk, pinch-runner Tara Baglivo stole second, and one out later she scored when the Valpo pitcher threw wildly to first base after fielding Halie Mariano's bunt.

Valpo put runners at second and third with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, but Geffert escaped the jam by inducing a fly ball to right field. Geffert then retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh, fanning four of the final six batters she faced en route to her 33rd career win, which ties Christie Wiest for seventh on Bucknell's all-time list.

Six different Bucknell players combined for seven hits in the game. The freshman Fairbanks collected her first two career RBIs and upped her early-season average to .400.

Kelsie Packard took the loss for Valpo after allowing six runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings. Packard and reliever Jenna Edwards combined for 12 strikeouts and four walks.

Bucknell was scheduled to play Princeton and Delaware State on Saturday, but the schedule could be adjusted to account for the Friday evening postponements. Check back for further updates.