Exciting Matchups Highlight NSU-Hampton Classic

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (1-3) opens up the second weekend of play with four scheduled games at the NSU-Hampton Classic. The Bison are coming off their first weekend, where the team defeated Maine and narrowly lost to George Washington and USC Upstate.

The Starting Lineup
What: NSU-Hampton Classic
Where: NSU Softball Field (Norfolk, Va.) & Hampton University Softball Field (Hampton, Va.)
When: Feb. 18-19

Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)

Saturday, Feb. 18
10:00 a.m. | at Norfolk State | Live Stats
12:30 p.m. | vs. Georgetown | Live Stats

Sunday, Feb. 19
12:30 p.m. | vs. Quinnipiac
3:00 p.m. | at Hampton

Coach Caffrey's Call

"We are grateful for another opportunity to compete this weekend," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. "We had a great week of preparation and time outside to practice, so we are excited to take the field and see what adjustments we can make. The weather has been a factor for Friday, but we will adjust to whatever comes our way while in Norfolk. We really preach making improvements from one week to the next, and that is how we measure our success right now. We feel we had some games that we should have won last weekend, so we are looking to go attack each inning so that doesn't happen again."

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

The Bison went 1-3 last weekend at the Upstate Classic, defeating Maine and losing to George Washington and USC Upstate (2x).
Madison Roukey pitched 12 innings, earning one win and yielding only two runs. She earned Honorable Mention from the Patriot League weekly awards for her efforts.
Both MaKenzie Hilling and Chase Knapp belted two-run homers and drove in three RBIs against Maine.
Freshmen Marissa Rapino and Angelica Seropian both collected their first collegiate hit. Rapino finished up the weekend with three hits.
Sophomore Savannah Jones made her collegiate debut after missing last season with an injury. She collected a hit and RBI.

Overview of the Opposition

Norfolk State- The Spartans are 3-2 in the young season. Gabby Vaughan leads the team with a .400 batting average, one home run, and five RBIs. Alexis Robinson is the ace of the staff with a 1.31 ERA and a 2-0 record.
Georgetown- The Hoyas are 0-3 to the season after participating in the River City Leadoff. Kayla Dunn and Brittany Lew are off to blistering starts hitting .800 and .750. Brooke Plonka has emerged as the strongest pitcher of record with a 3.09 ERA.
Quinnipiac- The Bobcats commence their 2023 season at the NSU-Hampton Classic. Quinnipiac went 12-29 last season.
Hampton- The Pirates are 2-2 after playing in the Macon Heart of Georgia Classic. Hampton has some power hitting three home runs and five doubles in four games. Kayla Domon is the main threat, with two doubles and a home run.

History with the Foes

Norfolk State- The Bison are 1-0 all-time against NSU. The lone game and win came in 2007.
Georgetown- Strange to believe, but this is the first matchup against Georgetown.
Quinnipiac- Bucknell leads the all-time series, 4-3. The first meeting occurred in 2003.
Hampton- The Pirates lead the series, 2-1, with the first clash coming in 2016.

Up Next

The Bison remain on the road at the Pirate Crash. Games start on Feb. 24.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

MaKenzie Hilling

Savannah Jones

Chase Knapp

Marissa Rapino

Madison Roukey