Bucknell University
7-10
Rutgers University
9-13
Softball Posts Wins Over Marshall & Rutgers at Thundering Herd Round Robin
3/8/2020 5:17:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Bucknell softball held both Rutgers and Marshall to one run each to go 2-0 on the second day of the Thundering Herd Round Robin. The Bison also totaled 18 hits on the day and went error-free in both games. Halie Mariano had another spectacular day at the plate for the Bison, going 3-for-6 with three RBIs. She finished the weekend with six RBIs total and now leads the Bison with 13 on the season.
"We rebounded really well today from a frustrating day yesterday," said assistant coach Matt Burns. "This was hands down the best day of softball we've played this season. It was a complete team sweep and we played well in every phase."
With the two wins, Bucknell saw its record improve to 8-10 on the season.
Bucknell travels to Virginia on Tuesday, March 10 to face the Cavaliers in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The Bison then head to the nation's capital for a Wednesday doubleheader against George Washington.
Bucknell 7, Rutgers 1
The Bison produced 11 hits, including three that went for extra bases, to knock off the Scarlet Knights in the first game played on Sunday. The Bucknell pitching staff also limited Rutgers to just four hits and didn't give up a run until the sixth inning.
Bucknell led 1-0 through most of the game before a big fifth inning yielded four runs on four hits. The inning included an RBI-triple by Allyse Volpe and a two-RBI double by Mariano. It was the second triple of the game for Volpe and her third of the weekend.
Bucknell added two more runs an inning later thanks to a single from Taylor Wolfgang that scored two. The Scarlet Knights also picked up their lone run in the sixth after Raeanne Geffert had stepped in to replace Kaiya Burton in the circle.
Burton was credited with the win and saw her record improve to 3-2. The freshman allowed just two hits in the game and didn't give one up until the fifth inning. Geffert struck out two in two innings pitched and earned no runs.
Meanwhile, the Bison hit the ball in every inning outside of the second. Their first run of the game came during the third inning when Chase Knapp drove in Volpe after she reached with her first triple in the game.
Nicole Rivait, Mariano, Volpe, and Hom all went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Bison.
Bucknell 6, Marshall 1
The Bison came up big on offense in both the second and fifth innings against Marshall and the defense gave up just three hits throughout the game. For a second straight game the Bison did not commit an error.
"Going through both games with a clean defense was really what we needed most, and the entire team stepped up with incredible focus, effort, and energy all day," said Burns
After a scoreless first, three Bison recorded hits in the second and three runs came across. A sacrifice bunt by freshman Kailyn Lorberter moved runners into scoring position, and singles by Mariano and Hom sent all three runners home to take a 3-0 lead in the game.
M2 | Bucknell 3, Marshall 0
— Bucknell Softball (@Bucknell_SB) March 8, 2020
Jess Hom knocks in two with a single to right! Mariano also picked up an RBI in the inning. Mariano now has 6⃣ on the weekend! pic.twitter.com/bC8rF0FGSE
Bucknell posted four hits and three more runs in the fifth inning, and once again sacrifice hitting was the key. On back-to-back at-bats Rivait and Knapp sent sacrifice flies into the outfield that allowed runners to score. Wolfgang also posted an RBI-single in the inning, and the Herd was forced to make a pitching change now trailing 6-1.
"We had timely hitting with runners in scoring position, with two strikes, and we scored with two outs," said Burns. "We also did a great job with situational hitting, whether it was a sacrifice fly or bunt."
Marshall's only run was scored in the bottom of the fourth where they managed to get a runner on with a walk and posted two of their three hits. Geffert, who went the distance in the circle for Bucknell, finished with five strikeouts in the game and improved to 5-7 with the win.
"We got two tremendous outings from Kaiya and Rae. They were both in the zone all day and allowed our defense to play behind them," said Burns.
Hom finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, and both Volpe and Mariano pulled off successful steals. Volpe now has 13 stolen bases on the season.
"I told the team that today is our standard. For the rest of the season, we know how well we can play. So, now we strive to match that every day," said Burns.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Burton, Kaiya (3-2)
L: Corah Price (2-6)
Batting:
RBI: Kiana Workman 1
SH: Hailey Hoklotubbe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taylor Fawcett 1
HBP: Taylor Fawcett 1 ; Payton Lincavage 1
Batting:
2B: Mariano, Halie 1
3B: Volpe, Allyse 2
RBI: Volpe, Allyse 1 ; Knapp, Chase 1 ; Rivait, Nicole 1 ; Wolfgang, Taylor 2 ; Mariano, Halie 2
SH: Volpe, Allyse 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Volpe, Allyse 2 ; Knapp, Chase 1 ; Rivait, Nicole 1 ; Wolfgang, Taylor 1 ; Hom, Jess 2
SB: Knapp, Chase 1
HBP: Alemany, Marisa 1
