Bucknell University
2-7
East Carolina University
9-2
Roukey's Shutout Sinks the ECU Pirates, 2-0
2/23/2023 9:43:00 PM | Softball
GREENVILLE, N.C.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (3-7) split the first day of the Pirate Clash, losing to East Carolina University in Game 1, 3-1, and defeating ECU in Game 2, 2-0. The victory in game two ended ECU's seven-game win streak.
Bucknell fell behind 3-0 against the Pirates before staging a rally in the top of the seventh inning. Noelle Gardon stroked a sacrifice fly to score Chase Knapp. The Bison had runners on the corners with one out, but two strikeouts ended the game.
In the second game, Bucknell scored two runs in the top of the first inning when Zoie Smith pounded a two-run double. The Bison offense was handcuffed the rest of the game, but it did not matter as Madison Roukey pitched a gem of a shutout holding the red-hot Pirates to four hits.
Caffrey's Call
"I'm thrilled with our fight tonight against a good team. It's fun to see the pieces start to come together and see some big performances from our players. Madison Roukey, Kaiya Burton, and Savannah Jones were great in the circle. They set the tone and allowed our hitters to compete for our runs in Game 2. I'm proud of how we played today and excited to continue the weekend here in Greenville."
Game One: ECU 3, Bucknell 1
Elena Horn started the game with an infield single, and MaKenzie Hilling sacrificed her to second. But Savannah Jones grounded out, and Zoie Smith flew out to end the frame.
Savannah Jones started in the circle for the Bison. ECU led off with a triple, followed by a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead. A walk and double added more pressure but Jones induced a grounder.
Both Bucknell and ECU were retired in order during the second inning.
In the top of the third inning, Horn produced her second hit but was stranded. ECU singled in their frame of the third, but their runner was gunned down trying to swipe second base.
Bucknell went down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning. ECU's leadoff hitter was hit. Kaiya Burton entered the game but yielded an RBI double to give ECU a 2-0 margin.
Noelle Gardon singled in the top of the fifth inning, but the Bison could not capitalize. ECU also had its chances, but Burton avoided trouble.
In the top of the sixth inning, Horn obtained her third hit. But the Bison followed up with three straight outs. ECU added an insurance run after a double and a single for a 3-0 lead.
Bucknell rallied in the seventh inning. Chase Knapp and Kailyn Lorberter singled and doubled to chase the pitcher. Gardon hit a sacrifice fly to score Knapp. Ava Aguilar added a single to place runners at the corner. But two straight strikeouts ended the game.
Game Two: Bucknell 2, ECU 0
The Bison stuck fast and hard at the beginning. Horn singled to start the game, Hilling executed a sacrifice bunt, Jones singled, and then Smith doubled to right field to score Horn and Jones. Two outs followed, but Bucknell had the 2-0 lead.
Madison Roukey started in the circle and established her dominance right away.
The Bison went down in order in the second inning. ECU had a leadoff double, but Roukey induced three straight-outs.
In the third inning, Bucknell had a chance to pad its lead. Hilling was plunked, and with two outs, Smith and Knapp walked to load the bases. However, Lorberter flew out to the right field.
There were no baserunners for either team until the bottom of the fourth inning when ECU obtained a leadoff single. Once again, Roukey prevented any scoring.
The Bison were retired 1-2-3 in the fifth inning. ECU had their best chance of the game. A leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt, and an infield single placed runners at second and third with two outs. Roukey was cool under pressure and obtained a line-out to second to neutralize the threat.
The only action in the sixth inning was a single by ECU, rendered moot by a strikeout and a grounder.
Bucknell attempted to add some insurance runs after Aguilar singled. But a strikeout followed, and then Aguilar was caught stealing.
Roukey prevented any dramatics in the final frame. Despite the presence of two pinch hitters, Roukey remained unfazed. The Pirates walked the prank 1-2-3 as Roukey captained the shutout into port.
Up Next
The Bison play two games tomorrow against Radford and Saint Francis University.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Addy Bullis (5-0)
L: Jones, Savannah (0-3)
Batting:
2B: Lorberter, Kailyn 1
RBI: Gardon, Noelle 1
SH: Hilling, MaKenzie 1
SF: Gardon, Noelle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knapp, Chase 1
Batting:
2B: Jocelyn Alonso 1 ; Logan Sutton 1 ; Bailee Wilson 1
3B: Taudrea Sinnie 1
RBI: Taylor Edwards 1 ; Bailee Wilson 2
SF: Taylor Edwards 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taudrea Sinnie 1 ; Ragan Holloman 1 ; Logan Sutton 1
CS: Anna Sawyer 1
HBP: Joie Fittante 1
