Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
1-2
Maine
1-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucknell University | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
| University of Maine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Softball Defeats Maine, Comeback Falls Short Against USC Upstate
2/11/2023 8:35:00 PM | Softball
SPARTANBURG, S.C.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (1-3) picked up its first win of the 2023 campaign on Saturday with a decisive 8-2 win over Maine. After a furious seventh-inning rally, the Bison fell 5-4 to hosting USC Upstate Spartans.
The Bison led the way against the Maine Black Bears from the opening pitch. Bucknell scored early and often to prevent any chance of a Maine rally. MaKenzie Hilling and Chase Knapp both slammed two-run homers and finished with three RBI apiece. Madison Roukey recorded the win yielding only two runs. It is Roukey's third-ever complete game.
The Bison fell behind early against the Spartans in the second game but kept chipping away. With the score at 5-2 entering the top of the seventh inning, Bucknell staged a dramatic rally scoring two runs and placing the tying run on third base with one out. The Bison could not complete the comeback as the next two batters recorded outs.
Caffrey's Call
"I'm not satisfied with the outcomes, but I am pleased with the response from day one to day two. We have a lot of different people who can step into roles and be big for us at any time, and that depth is something we never had before. We're excited to get back to work this week and attack every opportunity we get."
Game One: Bucknell 8, Maine 2
The Bison used home runs from Hilling and Knapp to nuzzle the Black Bears. Hilling's home run came in the first inning, and Knapp's blast followed in the second inning.
Bucknell scored two runs in the first frame and four more in the second inning to establish early dominance over Maine.
The Bison went 7-0 before Maine scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Orange & Blue added an insurance run in the top half of the sixth but could not grab an eight-run advantage to invoke the mercy run.
Maine scored a single run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Roukey prevented any miraculous comeback clinching Bucknell's first win in 2023.
Game Two: USC Upstate 5, Bucknell 4
The Spartans struck first with a run in the second inning.
Bucknell immediately countered in the third inning on an RBI single by Zoie Smith.
The Spartans would move ahead by three runs over the next two innings.
MaKenzie Hilling continued her career day with an RBI double in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 4-2.
USC Upstate restored the lead to three during the bottom of the fifth inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, Bucknell made their rally. Knapp knocked in one run. Elena Horn scored on a wild pitch, and Knapp advanced to third. Alas, Hilling and Smith tried their best, but Knapp would stay on third as USC Upstate escaped with the 5-4 win.
Up Next
Tomorrow's game against George Washington has been canceled because of rain. The Bison return to action on Feb. 17 at the NSU-Hampton Classic.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Roukey, Madison (1-0)
L: Fallon, Caitlyn (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Knapp, Chase 1
HR: Knapp, Chase 1 ; Hilling, MaKenzie 1
RBI: Knapp, Chase 3 ; Hilling, MaKenzie 3
SF: Hilling, MaKenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Horn, Elena 2 ; Knapp, Chase 2 ; Hilling, MaKenzie 1 ; Aguilar, Ava 1 ; Rapino, Marissa 1 ; Gardon, Noelle 1
SB: Horn, Elena 1 ; Aguilar, Ava 1
Batting:
2B: Margetis, Anna 1 ; Nieblas, Izzy 1 ; Pearson, Mariah 1
RBI: Margetis, Anna 1 ; Pearson, Mariah 1
SH: McGouldrick, Grace 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Drews, Kelby 1 ; Moery, Katie Jo 1
