Bucknell University Athletics
Softball Names Captains for 2023 Season
2/2/2023 12:00:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team has announced its captains for the 2023 season. The Bison will have four players serving in the role: senior Chase Knapp, juniors Annabella Hawkins and Zoie Smith, and sophomore MaKenzie Hilling.Â
It will be the first time in years that the captain ranks will include student-athletes who are not seniors.Â
"The captains are exciting for us because we feel that these are the people that embody our core values," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. "We talk about working hard, competing, and doing things the right way. We know that the four players chosen can uphold that standard and continue to push it forward."Â
Since the start of her career, Chase Knapp has been a consistent staple in the lineup. Knapp has 64 career hits, with 19 of those being extra-base hits. In 2022, she led the team in triples (2) and fielded a perfect 1.000%. The Newbury Park native has excelled in the classroom by twice earning Academic All-Patriot League honors. Knapp is a one-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week Â
Last season was Annabella Hawkins' first campaign in Orange & Blue after transferring from St. Joseph's. Hawkins made an immediate impact hitting .298 (third-highest on the squad) and leading the team in OBPÂ (.411). She appeared in 31 games, including 21 starts.Â
Zoie Smith was the team's bulwark behind the plate. She started 33 games and was second on the team in batting average (.300), slugging percentage (.422), and on-base percentage (.366). She holds a career batting average of .281 and a career fielding percentage of .978. Smith has been a two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and one-time Patriot League Player of the Week.Â
As a freshman, MaKenzie Hilling made 39 starts and was third in doubles (6) and RBIs (10). She demonstrated exceptional plate discipline for a freshman, drawing 12 walks to lead the Bison. The Hillard resident bolstered the Bucknell defense handling 111 putouts with a .967 fielding percentage.Â
The Bison open the season on Feb. 10 against George Washington at the Upstate Classic.Â
It will be the first time in years that the captain ranks will include student-athletes who are not seniors.Â
"The captains are exciting for us because we feel that these are the people that embody our core values," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. "We talk about working hard, competing, and doing things the right way. We know that the four players chosen can uphold that standard and continue to push it forward."Â
Since the start of her career, Chase Knapp has been a consistent staple in the lineup. Knapp has 64 career hits, with 19 of those being extra-base hits. In 2022, she led the team in triples (2) and fielded a perfect 1.000%. The Newbury Park native has excelled in the classroom by twice earning Academic All-Patriot League honors. Knapp is a one-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week Â
Last season was Annabella Hawkins' first campaign in Orange & Blue after transferring from St. Joseph's. Hawkins made an immediate impact hitting .298 (third-highest on the squad) and leading the team in OBPÂ (.411). She appeared in 31 games, including 21 starts.Â
Zoie Smith was the team's bulwark behind the plate. She started 33 games and was second on the team in batting average (.300), slugging percentage (.422), and on-base percentage (.366). She holds a career batting average of .281 and a career fielding percentage of .978. Smith has been a two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week and one-time Patriot League Player of the Week.Â
As a freshman, MaKenzie Hilling made 39 starts and was third in doubles (6) and RBIs (10). She demonstrated exceptional plate discipline for a freshman, drawing 12 walks to lead the Bison. The Hillard resident bolstered the Bucknell defense handling 111 putouts with a .967 fielding percentage.Â
The Bison open the season on Feb. 10 against George Washington at the Upstate Classic.Â
Players Mentioned
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