Bucknell University Athletics
Softball Releases Exciting 2024 Schedule
12/12/2023 11:55:00 AM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Head coach Sarah Caffrey and the Bucknell softball program are excited to release its 2024 season schedule. The team enters its 46th season of collegiate competition, and the 49 games feature two teams from Power Five conferences, four NCAA Regionals participants, an assorted selection of mid-major powers, and the traditional 18 Patriot League match-ups.
"I am excited for our spring schedule," said Caffrey. "We have many quality and competitive softball teams to match up against, and our tough non-conference schedule will no doubt prepare us for our Patriot League play. This team worked hard all fall, and I know we all can't wait to get back on the field this spring."
The season opens on Feb. 9-11 at the annual Coastal Carolina Kickin' Chicken Classic with déjà vu from 2022. For the second straight season, Bucknell plays George Washington on opening day. It is the first time since the 1990 & 1991 seasons (Hofstra) that Bucknell has opened against the same opponent in back-to-back seasons. It should prove a good omen as the Orange & Blue posted winning records in both campaigns. After drawing swords with George Washington, Bucknell will also play ACC foe Syracuse on Feb. 9. The next day, the Bison face Campbell and host Coastal Carolina. Feb. 11 concludes the tournament with a second game against George Washington.
The George Washington Revolutionaries, recently rechristened from the Colonials moniker, went 17-28 last season. Bucknell seeks to even the score after dropping last season's opening-day match-up. 14-game winner Rose Cano returns to the circle for George Washington. Syracuse narrowly missed .500 status in 2023, going 24-26-1. Their season concluded with a 4-1 loss to #3 Florida State in the ACC Tournament. ACC All-Freshman selection pitcher/utility Madison Knight is one of seven players in Syracuse history to throw a no-hitter. She led the team in wins (14) and RBIs (28). Campbell softball had a banner year in 2023, winning 42 games, clinching a third-straight Big South Tournament title, and defeating George Mason at the Durham Regional. The Camels lost star hitter Claudia Ware (21 doubles and .374 batting average) but retained ace hurler Isabella Smith, who notched 29 of Campbell's 42 wins. Smith has 44 victories and a career 1.99 ERA in two seasons. Coastal Carolina went 36-20 in 2023 and lost 2-1 to Marshall in the Sun Belt Tournament Quarterfinals. The Chanticleer pounded the sphere last season, hitting 58 home runs, but were also apt at pitching, compiling a team ERA of 2.59 while relying on a three-woman rotation.
The Bison will rest for a weekend before returning to action on Feb. 23-25 at the UMES Hawk Classic. Bucknell will play the host school, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, on the 23rd. The following day, the Bison cross-bats with UMES and Hofstra. The same slate repeats on Feb. 25.
UMES finished 14-30 in 2023 and lost to Howard in the MEAC Tournament. The Hawks lacked power (four home runs) but stole 98 stolen bases in 118 attempts. The team only employed two pitchers who combined for a team ERA of 9.01. Hofstra went 29-27 overall and 16-7 in CAA play. The Pride made a Cinderella run at the CAA Tournament to clinch the NCAA berth. Hofstra was sent to the Norman Regional, where they were defeated 11-0 by #1 Oklahoma and 7-0 by Cal. The Pride graduated its star slugger, Meghan Giordano, who hit .341, slammed 15 of Hofstra's 25 home runs, and drove in 48 RBIs. Leading pitcher Julia Apsel returns to the circle.
On March 1-3, Bucknell journeys to the First State for the Blue Hen Invitational hosted by the University of Delaware. The Bison face Fairfield on Friday, March 1, and then play Maine and Delaware on Saturday. The tournament finishes on Sunday with games against Maine and Fairfield.
Fairfield collected a 22-25 record in 2023 and won one MAAC Tournament contest before their elimination by Iona. The Stags used 77 stolen bases to run their offense, with three players tallying double-digit thefts, but two of the three expert safe-crackers return in 2024. The pitching staff racked up a respectable 3.22 ERA. Maine went 16-39 and lost 8-2 to Bucknell at the Upstate Classic in 2023. Despite their 4-15 conference record, the Black Bears made a run in the America East, winning three games before falling to Albany. Maine has to replace star Grace McGouldrick, who hit .353 and stole 36 bases. Delaware posted a 29-20 record with a sparkling 18-5 mark in CAA play to earn the top seed, but the Blue Hens went 0-2 in the CAA Tournament. The Blue Hens used a mixture of four .300 hitters and stolen bases to power their offense. The team's strength resided in its two ace pitchers, Emily Winburn and Taylor Wroten won 25 of Delaware's 29 games.
The annual spring break expedition returns to Madeira Beach, Florida, for The Spring Games on March 8-10. It is the most diverse tournament on the Bucknell schedule as the Bison will face no duplicates during the five-game stretch. March 8 games include second-year Division I program Stonehill and MAC foe Central Michigan. Saturday contests feature NEC champion LIU and MAAC team Siena. Sunday has a single contest versus Columbia.
Stonehill's first Division I season was unpleasant as the Skyhawks finished 4-42. The team hit .154 and had an ERA of 6.11. Pitcher Skylar Brandemarte hurled most of the games and posted a respectable 4.87 ERA. Central Michigan went 29-26 in 2023 and was eliminated by Ohio in the MAC Tournament. Leading hitter Abbey Tolmie returns to the squad after posting an electrifying .394 average. Long Island finished 32-26 in 2023 and ended Saint Francis University's stretch of five-straight NEC titles. Their season ended at the Tuscaloosa Regional when Central Arkansas defeated them 15-0. Alyssa Polemeni, who poled the decisive home run against Saint Francis, returns to the Sharks lineup, as does ace pitcher Lindsey Cowans. Siena had a remarkable 2023 season, going 32-21, but was 0-2 in the MAAC Tournament. The Saints demonstrated some unsaintly behavior, stealing 86 bases. The pitching staff posted a 3.28 ERA. Columbia went 17-24 in 2023 and was eliminated by Princeton in the Ivy League Tournament. The hitting carried the team, gathering 28 home runs and 61 doubles. Their pitchers posted a 5.39 ERA. Bucknell will face Columbia's 2023 pitching coach, Bet Krysiak, later in the season, as Saint Francis hired her as their new head coach.
Bucknell will stay in the Sunshine State for two doubleheaders. On March 12th, Bucknell clashes with Coach Caffrey's alma mater Jacksonville University, and the following day faces a significant test in North Florida.
Jacksonville went 25-27 in 2023 and lost to North Alabama in the ASUN play-in game. Madison Reynolds returns for her senior season. Reynolds led the team in hits (51), doubles (12), and RBIs (28). UNF had a slightly down year by their standards, going 29-23-1 overall and 10-13-1 in ASUN play. The Ospreys missed the ASUN Tournament. UNF lost its two hitting stars, Shannon Glover (.341 BA, 13 doubles, and 11 home runs) and Kayla Harper (.319 BA and 26 stolen bases), to graduation.
Bucknell finishes with the long travel and remains in Lewisburg as the home portion of the schedule opens on March 20 with a doubleheader against NEC powerhouse Saint Francis University.
The Red Flash finished 26-24 overall and 15-6 in the NEC to win the regular season title. Their five-season reign as NEC Tournament champions was ended by LIU. Star pitchers Rachel Marsden and Grace Vesco return to Loretto as graduate students. SFU lost stud shortstop Jordan Pietrzykoski (.358 BA) to graduation.Â
Patriot League play opens three days later at Lafayette. March 23 will have the customary conference setup of a doubleheader with a single game the following day. Â
Bucknell swept Lafayette last season to make the Patriot League Tournament. Lafayette finished 8-36-1 overall and 4-14 in PL play. Megan Coyle hit seven home runs last season.
On March 26, Bucknell and Penn State will renew the Route 45 Rivalry with a contest in Happy Valley.
The Nittany Lions went 31-16 overall in 2023. Their season concluded in the Big 10 Quarterfinals after Indiana beat them 5-4 in extra innings. Penn State must replace star pitcher Bailey Parshall, who set program records for career strikeouts and shutouts.
Bucknell welcomes PL foe Army on March 30 & 31 for the traditional three-game battle.
The Black Knights of the Hudson went 22-37 overall but finished 10-8 in conference play to earn the third seed in the PL Tournament. Army eliminated Bucknell and Lehigh in the PL Tournament before falling to Boston in the Championship Game. The Black Knights featured a balanced squad and will return most of their pitching staff.
One week later, Lehigh journeys to Becker Field to battle Bucknell on April 6 & 7.
The Mountain Hawks collected a 40-14 overall record and a 16-2 mark in Patriot League play. Lehigh upset #9 Alabama during the first weekend of play. However, the Bethlehem team went 1-2 in the PL Tournament. Star hitter Emily Cimino returns for her graduate year after hitting .330 with 17 doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 46 RBIs. The pitching duo of Chloe Hess and Katelyn Young also stay intact for the 2024 season.
Bucknell travels to Colgate on April 13 & 14 for more PL action.
The Raiders went 17-31 overall and finished 6-12 in conference. Bucknell edged out Colgate for the final PL Tournament spot. Bucknell swept Lafayette, while Colgate lost all three series games against Army. Kara Fusco is the leading hitter, having batted .289 with ten doubles, five home runs, and 32 RBIs.
On April 17, Binghamton travels from New York to Becker Field for a doubleheader.
The Bearcats posted a 29-18 overall record and a 13-7 mark in America East play in 2023. Their season ended 0-2 in the America East Tournament. Lindsey Walter represents a  dual threat. She won All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors as Designated Player for her 2.49 ERA and batting .414 (best in the America East).
Bucknell journeys to Boston on April 20-21 to face the Patriot League champions on their home field.
The Terriers went 52-10 overall and 17-1 in PL play. They won both the regular season and conference tournament titles. They were eliminated at the Blacksburg Regional by Virginia Tech. They return the bulk of their team, including star pitcher Allison Boaz, who went 25-5 with a 1.41 ERA in 2023.
A midweek doubleheader on April 23 at Youngstown State concludes the non-conference segment.
The Penguins earned a 27-27 overall record and a 12-10 Horizon League mark in 2023. Youngstown State went 3-2 in the Horizon League Tournament and was eliminated by Oakland. Pitcher Sophie Howell broke out in 2023, collecting 17 of Youngstown's 27 victories via a 2.51 ERA.
The regular season concludes April 27-28 with a visit from Holy Cross.
The Crusaders went 15-36-1 overall with a 2-16 mark in Patriot League play. Bucknell swept Holy Cross in Worcester as part of the epic 6-0 winning streak for PL Tournament eligibility. Madison Roukey struck out ten Crusaders in the third game. Sophomore Anna Brait returns after a superb freshman season where she hit .357 with ten doubles, three home runs, and 29 RBIs.
The Patriot League Tournament will be held May 9-11 at the highest seed. NCAA Regionals begin on May 17.
