Sunday, March 21
Newark, Del.
Noon
Bucknell University
at
Delaware
Photo by: Alli Meehan
Softball Pays Visit to Delaware Blue Hens for Sunday Doubleheader
3/18/2021 9:37:00 AM | Softball
Setting the Scene
What:Â Bucknell (2-3) at Delaware (5-0) (DH)
Where:Â Newark, Del.
When: Sunday, March 21 – noon / 2 p.m.
Live Stats:Â BlueHens.com
Streaming: YouTube
Delaware Athletics Attendance Guidelines
About the Bison
• Bucknell's road stand continues this weekend as it heads to Newark, Del., to take on the Delaware Blue Hens. The Bison are coming off three losses at Longwood after opening the season 2-0.
• Two of Bucknell's losses last weekend came in walk-off fashion as the team kept pace with the Lancers much of the weekend. The Bison batted .310 and posted seven runs in Saturday evening's loss, however, the Bison went scoreless on Sunday.
• After being named Patriot League Player of the Week last week, first-year catcher Zoie Smith earned Rookie of the Week this week following a 3-for-8 weekend at the plate with three RBIs, a double and a home run at Longwood. Through five games, Smith leads the team in RBIs (5), home runs (2), doubles (3), hits (8), and runs scored (6). Smith is batting .500 (8-for-16) on the season.
• Second on the roster in hits is junior Sarah Baluch, who's batting .400 (6-for-15) with three RBIs.
• Sophomore Chase Knapp is batting .313 and racked up four RBIs on one swing over the weekend when she hit a grand slam to tie the game with Longwood. It was the second homer of Knapp's career. Nicole Rivait and Kailyn Lorberter also have multiple RBIs this season.
• Bucknell started three different pitchers over the weekend, and both Kaiya Burton and Kelly Toomey have two starts each this season. Meanwhile, in 10 innings pitched sophomore Olivia Marinelli has a team-best 2.80 ERA. Marinelli also has the Bison's only save through five games.
Scouting the Blue Hens
• Delaware is hot through its first five games, winning each one and posting double-digit runs in three. The Hens have also pitched two shutouts this season.
• Delaware won 18-0 in its season opener against UMass and won 15-1 over Coppin State.
• Delaware rookie Emily Winburn was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Rookie of the Week this week after pitching a three-hit shutout against UAlbany on Sunday. Joining Winburn with two wins in the circle is junior Kailey Christian, who boasts a 0.87 ERA over 8.1 innings pitched.
• Delaware will face Lehigh on Saturday before hosting Bucknell.
Series History with the Blue Hens
• Bucknell is 12-29-1 in all-time meetings with Delaware, dating back to 1981. The two teams were East Coast Conference rivals during the 1980s.
• Bucknell last faced the Blue Hens in 2016, falling 6-5 on the road. The Bison also won 11-1 over Delaware that weekend.
• Bucknell is 2-7-1 in the last 10 meetings with the Blue Hens.
Up Next
• Bucknell is scheduled to play its first Patriot League game in almost two years, as well as its first home game since May 4, 2019, when is hosts Lafayette at Becker Field for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27. The Bison will turn around and head to Easton, Pa. on Sunday to play another doubleheader against the Leopards at their place.
What:Â Bucknell (2-3) at Delaware (5-0) (DH)
Where:Â Newark, Del.
When: Sunday, March 21 – noon / 2 p.m.
Live Stats:Â BlueHens.com
Streaming: YouTube
Delaware Athletics Attendance Guidelines
About the Bison
• Bucknell's road stand continues this weekend as it heads to Newark, Del., to take on the Delaware Blue Hens. The Bison are coming off three losses at Longwood after opening the season 2-0.
• Two of Bucknell's losses last weekend came in walk-off fashion as the team kept pace with the Lancers much of the weekend. The Bison batted .310 and posted seven runs in Saturday evening's loss, however, the Bison went scoreless on Sunday.
• After being named Patriot League Player of the Week last week, first-year catcher Zoie Smith earned Rookie of the Week this week following a 3-for-8 weekend at the plate with three RBIs, a double and a home run at Longwood. Through five games, Smith leads the team in RBIs (5), home runs (2), doubles (3), hits (8), and runs scored (6). Smith is batting .500 (8-for-16) on the season.
• Second on the roster in hits is junior Sarah Baluch, who's batting .400 (6-for-15) with three RBIs.
• Sophomore Chase Knapp is batting .313 and racked up four RBIs on one swing over the weekend when she hit a grand slam to tie the game with Longwood. It was the second homer of Knapp's career. Nicole Rivait and Kailyn Lorberter also have multiple RBIs this season.
• Bucknell started three different pitchers over the weekend, and both Kaiya Burton and Kelly Toomey have two starts each this season. Meanwhile, in 10 innings pitched sophomore Olivia Marinelli has a team-best 2.80 ERA. Marinelli also has the Bison's only save through five games.
Scouting the Blue Hens
• Delaware is hot through its first five games, winning each one and posting double-digit runs in three. The Hens have also pitched two shutouts this season.
• Delaware won 18-0 in its season opener against UMass and won 15-1 over Coppin State.
• Delaware rookie Emily Winburn was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Rookie of the Week this week after pitching a three-hit shutout against UAlbany on Sunday. Joining Winburn with two wins in the circle is junior Kailey Christian, who boasts a 0.87 ERA over 8.1 innings pitched.
• Delaware will face Lehigh on Saturday before hosting Bucknell.
Series History with the Blue Hens
• Bucknell is 12-29-1 in all-time meetings with Delaware, dating back to 1981. The two teams were East Coast Conference rivals during the 1980s.
• Bucknell last faced the Blue Hens in 2016, falling 6-5 on the road. The Bison also won 11-1 over Delaware that weekend.
• Bucknell is 2-7-1 in the last 10 meetings with the Blue Hens.
Up Next
• Bucknell is scheduled to play its first Patriot League game in almost two years, as well as its first home game since May 4, 2019, when is hosts Lafayette at Becker Field for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27. The Bison will turn around and head to Easton, Pa. on Sunday to play another doubleheader against the Leopards at their place.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
C/UT
/ Softball
P/UTL
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