Softball Drops Two to Start Season

Friday, February 10

Spartanburg, S.C.

9 a.m.

Bucknell University

0-1

George Washington University

1-0

Bucknell University

George Washington

Photo by: Phil Inglis

2/10/2023 4:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Bucknell Bison softball team opened the 2023 schedule with a pair of losses. The Bison were edged 2-1 by George Washington in a heartbreaker and were defeated 8-0 in five innings by USC Upstate.

The Bison led for six and a half innings against George Washington but could not close the door against the Colonials, who pushed across two runs to win thrillingly. The Bison had shut down the two-time defending regular season A-10 champions for most of the game before the Colonials conjured up some late-inning magic.

Host USC Upstate scored in the first three innings to corral the Bison. The Spartans struck for a run in the first two innings before scoring six runs in the third frame. USC Upstate chased two Bison pitchers before Hunter Vestal arrived in the circle to quiet the host team's bats. But no rally was to be had as USC Upstate shut down the Bison.

Caffrey's Call

"Frustrating day one, but we are excited to build on all the opportunities we have coming up. We have plenty of season left. Right now, every game is an opportunity to learn and get better. I am confident we are going to do that."

Game One: George Washington 2, Bucknell 1

The Bison struck in the first inning. Chase Knapp reached third on an error by the left fielder. Zoie Smith walked, and Savannah Jones singled in Knapp for her first career hit and RBI. Kailyn Lorberter grounded out to end the inning, but the Bison had the lead.

Madison Roukey started in the circle for the Bison and was sensational by throwing five scoreless innings. George Washington threatened in the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff single and two-out walk, but Roukey calmly ended the danger by inducing a swinging strikeout.

The next innings passed without lively incident. Bucknell started the top of the fourth inning with Jones obtaining her second career hit. Despite a sacrifice bunt by Lorberter, the Bison could not bring Jones home as Ava Aguilar struck out and Angelina Seropian grounded out.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, George Washington led off with a single of their own. But Roukey remained calm and induced three straight outs to perish the threat.

The Colonials launched another assault in their half of the fifth inning. A leadoff single, sacrifice bunt and a walk had George Washington posed to take the lead. Roukey steadfastly refused to yield. She obtained a fly-out and fanned Parker for the final out.

Zoie Smith started the sixth inning with a single, but the Bison could not capitalize.

Savannah Jones entered the circle in the sixth inning and had little trouble with the Colonials except for a solitary single.

Bucknell went down 1-2-3 in the Orange & Blue's top of the seventh inning. George Washington, alas, did not. Torres led off the Colonials' half with a solo home run. A strikeout followed, but then a single, a walk, and a steal of third base put George Washington on the doorstep of victory. A single by Parker to center field gave the Colonials the 2-1 win.

Game Two: USC Upstate 8, Bucknell 0 (5)

The Bison went down in order to start the game and could never catch up.

Kaiya Burton started in the circle for Bucknell. USC Upstate scored with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. A walk was followed by a stolen base, a common theme, as the Spartans stole eight bases and a wild pitch placed the runner on third. Another wild pitch would score the runner.

Bucknell was retired 1-2-3, and USC Upstate would score another run by the typical formula: a single to right field was followed by a stolen base. A second single and another stolen base set up a suicide squeeze chance for the Spartans. The lead runner scored, and all hands were safe. Burton rallied to force three straight outs.

Angelina Seropian led off the top of the third inning by smashing her first career collegiate hit: a double to right field. But the freshman would be stranded as the Spartans induced three outs.

USC Upstate broke the game wide open in their half of the third. A single and a home run made it 4-0. Another single led to a pitching change for Bucknell. Olivia Marinelli entered the circle. Two stolen bases and a single set the table for two more runs after a sacrifice fly and single. Two additional stolen bases and the catcher's interference allowed the following double to make it 8-0. Hunter Vestal entered the game for Bucknell and promptly obtained two outs to end the scoring.

Bucknell, in the top of the fourth inning, went down 1-2-3. USC Upstate pulled off a single and stolen base combo, but Vestal did not allow a run to cross.

The Bison, needing a run to prolong the game, fought hard in the top half of the fifth. Aguilar walked, and Marissa Rapino christened her collegiate career with a sharp single to left field, but Annabella Hawkins struck out to end the game.

Up Next

The Bison stay in Spartanburg tomorrow for a doubleheader against Maine and USC Upstate. The Maine game starts at 11 a.m., and the USC Upstate clash follows immediately afterward.