Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Marist
Softball Heads to Wilmington, N.C. for Second Weekend of Non-Conference Action
2/16/2022 10:00:00 AM | Softball
Setting the Scene
What:Â UNCW Invitational
Where:Â Boseman Field (Wilmington, N.C.)
When:Â Feb. 19-20
Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)
Saturday, Feb. 19
10 a.m. | vs. Marist (0-0) |Â Live Stats
12:30 p.m. | at UNCW (4-0) |Â Live StatsÂ
Sunday, Feb. 20
10 a.m. | vs. Marist (0-0) |Â Live StatsÂ
12:30 p.m. | at UNCW (4-0) |Â Live StatsÂ
About the Bison
• Bucknell heads back to North Carolina this weekend to take part in the UNCW Invitational. The Bison will look to collect their first win of the season after going 0-4 at the UNC Charlotte Green & Gold Classic last weekend.
• Bucknell has four games on tap this weekend, facing both Marist and UNCW twice on Saturday and Sunday. The Seahawks are off to a hot 4-0 start, while the Red Foxes are just getting their season under way.
• The young Bison squad struggled against a strong UNC Charlotte team and ACC preseason favorite Notre Dame during the opening weekend, scoring just two runs and dropping three of the four games in five innings. Still, Bucknell's underclassmen grabbed valuable non-conference experience as six members of the rookie class made starts in their first weekend of collegiate softball.
• With no surprise, Bucknell senior and Preseason All-Patriot League infielder Nicole Rivait put together the most impressive weekend for the Bison. Rivait went 3-for-6 at the plate with three doubles over the final two games, making a splash in her return from last year's season-ending injury.
• Juniors Chase Knapp and Kailyn Lorberter both posted RBIs for the Bison over the weekend. Knapp accounted for Bucknell's first run of the year, hitting a second-inning home run in the team's season opener against Notre Dame on Friday. It was the fourth homer of Knapp's career. Lorberter drove in a run in Saturday's UNC Charlotte game with a sacrifice fly in the second inning that put Bucknell up 1-0.
• Joining Knapp and Rivait with multiple hits over the weekend were sophomore Zoie Smith and rookie MaKenzie Hilling. Smith posted a double in the game against the 49ers on Saturday, and Hilling posted singles on both Friday and Saturday in her first collegiate action. Hilling also had Bucknell's lone stolen base over the weekend.
• Senior Kelly Toomey and rookie Madison Roukey accounted for all four of Bucknell's starts in the circle, while five different pitchers saw action over the weekend. Meanwhile, junior Olivia Marinelli posted a team-high six strikeouts.
Scouting the Opponents
• Marist – The Red Foxes will make their season debut with a doubleheader against UNCW on Friday before taking on the Bison on Saturday. Marist went 15-12 last season, including a 12-10 mark in MAAC play. The Red Foxes return 2021 All-MAAC catcher Kaley Coltrain, who led the conference and set the Marist single-season record in batting average (.459) a year ago.
• UNCW – The Seahawks picked up four wins against Toledo and Charleston Southern at the Charleston Southern Tournament last weekend. The Seahawks were picked sixth in the CAA preseason poll. As a team, the Seahawks hit .294 over the weekend with six home runs and four doubles. They also posted a 5-0 shutout in Saturday's game against Charleston Southern. Senior pitcher/infielder Janel Gamache was named the CAA Player of the Week on Tuesday after hitting .462 with three homers and seven RBIs. Rookie Kara Hammock was named the Pitcher of the Week after throwing two complete games, including the three-hit shutout.
Series History with the Opponents
• Marist – Bucknell is 2-2-1 in the all-time series with Marist, which dates back to 2001. The two teams last met in 2012, with Marist claiming a 10-2 victory. Bucknell's last win over the Red Foxes came in 2010 – an 11-0 decision at the George Mason Invitational.
• UNCW – Bucknell is 4-6 all-time against the Seahawks, dating back to 1994. The Bison have won the last three games in the series, including a 3-0 victory on the road in 2018. The Bison also defeated UNCW twice by a combined score of 17-4 in 2016.
Up Next
• Bucknell visits Greensboro, N.C. for the UNCG Invitational Feb. 25-27. The weekend begins with a game against Virginia at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25.
