Bucknell University
1-6
Quinnipiac University
2-2
Marinelli and Burton Combine for 12 Strikeouts to Defeat Hampton
2/19/2023 11:29:00 PM | Softball
HAMPTON, Va.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (2-6) split the final day of the NSU-Hampton Classic by losing 5-0 to Quinnipiac and defeating Hampton 2-0.
The Bison played evenly with Quinnipiac for most of the game, but a four-run third inning for the Bobcats proved decisive. The Connecticut school tacked on another run later for insurance. Bucknell's offense never got going finishing with one hit.
Bucknell's pitching blew Hampton away. Olivia Marinelli and Kaiya Burton combined to throw 12 strikeouts past the Pirates. Chase Knapp had a banner day with three hits and two RBIs. Zoie Smith scored the two runs for the Bison.
Caffrey's Call
"This weekend played out differently than how we would have liked," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. We had plenty of opportunities to win games or come through in big moments, but unfortunately, it did not fall our way. It is tough when you feel like you had a great week of preparation and don't quite get the result you want, but this team is resilient, and we look forward to next weekend and how to get better."
Game One: Quinnipiac 5, Bucknell 0
The Bison's best chance to score came in the first two innings. Chase Knapp reached on an error, and Zoie Smith singled. But Knapp was gunned down trying to advance to third for the final out.
In the second inning, Kailyn Lorberter walked, Ava Aguilar reached on an error, and Noelle Gardon walked to load the bases, but Elena Horn popped up to end the frame.
Madison Roukey started in the circle for the Bison and dominated the Bobcats for two innings. The third inning proved to be her Waterloo. Two singles and a fielder's choice set the stage for an RBI single. Roukey was pulled for Savannah Jones. But the Bobcats were not done scoring. A sacrifice fly and a two-run RBI single made it 4-0. Jones then settled down to obtain the final two outs.
The fourth and fifth innings witnessed both teams go down in order as the pitchers started to dominate the game.
Quinnipiac added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. After two flyouts, a double and a single scored the run. A strikeout followed, but the score increased to 5-0.
The Bison ended the game going down in order.
Game Two: Bucknell 2, Hampton 0
Bucknell scored early to set the tone. With two outs, Zoie Smith doubled, and Savannah Jones walked. Chase Knapp came up and delivered an RBI double to score Smith. Kailyn Lorberter walked, but Noelle Gardon lined out to end the frame.
Olivia Marinelli started in the circle for the Bison. Two Pirates reached base on a single and a walk, but Marinelli established the theme with a strikeout for the third out.
Marinelli kept the motif going by striking the side out in the bottom of the second inning.
Bucknell scored again in the third inning. MaKenzie Hilling led off with a double but was caught trying to steal third base. Zoie Smith walked and then stole second. A lineout was followed by Chase Knapp hitting her second RBI double of the game. Bucknell led 2-0, which would be the final score despite four innings of gameplay left.
Neither team advanced any threats over the next 2 ½ innings.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Hampton had two baserunners courtesy of an error and a single. Coach Caffrey made a strategic move by inserting Kaiya Burton for Marinelli. The Canadian hurler induced two quick outs to end the threat.
The Bison had two singles in the top of the seventh inning but could not score any insurance runs.
Hampton died hard. The first batter struck out but reached first when the pitch went wild. A bunt single followed a pop-up. Burton stayed strong. She obtained a pop-up and a swinging strikeout to give Bucknell its second win of the year.
Up Next
The Bison play at the Pirate Clash starting on Feb. 24.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Marinelli, Olivia (1-1)
L: Jordyn Scott (0-2)
S: Burton, Kaiya (1)
Batting:
2B: Hilling, MaKenzie 1 ; Smith, Zoie 1 ; Knapp, Chase 2
RBI: Knapp, Chase 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Smith, Zoie 2
SB: Smith, Zoie 1
CS: Hilling, MaKenzie 1
Base Running:
SB: Taylor Ivey 1
