Bucknell University
5-10
LIU
11-13
Bison Split Day One of The Spring Games
3/10/2023 5:12:00 PM | Softball
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla- The Bucknell Bison softball team (6-11) split the first day at the Spring Games, losing to LIU 8-1 and defeating Hartford 4-1. The Bison were done in by one rough inning against the Sharks of LIU and used stellar pitching and timely hitting to eliminate the Hawks of Hartford.
Olivia Marinelli picked up the win against Hartford, and Savannah Jones pitched three fabulous innings in relief to earn the save. Makenzie Hilling led the attack with three hits and an RBI. Birthday lady Zoie Smith collected two hits with an RBI.
Game One: LIU 8, Bucknell 1
Madison Roukey started in the circle for the Bison. LIU struck first in the top of the first inning. The leadoff hitter singled, stole second, and scored on another single for the 1-0 advantage. Bucknell was unable to counter in their frame.
The second inning proved decisive. LIU scored six runs to build a comfortable advantage. Two errors and a walk loaded the bases with one out. That set the stage for an LIU grand slam for a 5-0 lead. A double followed, which led to Kaiya Burton entering the circle. Burton obtained a grounder for the second out, but a single scored another run. A third error allowed the seventh run. A pop-up was the final out, but LIU was up 7-1.
The Bison threatened in the bottom of the second inning as Chase Knapp walked. However, she was thrown out trying to steal. Angelica Seropian singled, but a grounder ended the frame.
Bucknell tallied a run in the third inning. Haley Spiecher singled, Elena Horn reached on an error, and MaKenzie Hilling walked to load the bases. Savannah Jones grounded out but it scored the final run of the game. Another grounder followed to end the inning.
The next three innings witnessed little action as both pitchers shut down the opposition. Burton was magnificent in relief.
Hunter Vestal entered the circle in the seventh inning. LIU added a single run with a single, double, and another single. Vestal stayed calm and obtained the necessary outs. But the Bison could not mount a rally and went down 1-2-3 to end the game.
Game Two: Bucknell 4, Hartford 1
The Bison jumped out early on the Hawks. Speicher hit a bunt single and stole second to start the game. Hilling drove her in with an RBI single. She was thrown out trying to advance to second. Knapp walked, but a grounder ended the inning.
Olivia Marinelli started in the circle and dominated the first three innings tossing six strikeouts and allowing only two hits.
Bucknell threatened in the second inning, loading the bases on a single, reached by error, and a walk. But two pop-outs stranded all three Bison.
The Orange & Blue added a run in the third. Hilling reached on an error, Smith singled, and Noelle Gardon walked to load the bases. Bella Radican singled to score a run. A flyout followed, but the Bison led 2-0.
Bucknell scored again in the fourth inning. Horn and Hilling singled, and Smith doubled in Horn to score a run. A chance at a knockout blow was missed with a pop-up.
Hartford also scored in their frame. Two singles led off the inning. A fly ball to right field advanced the runner to third. A walk loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly scored the final run, but a pop-up ended Hartford's best chance at a tie game.
Both sides were retired in order in the fifth inning as Savannah Jones entered the circle for Bucknell.
The Bison obtained a key insurance run in the sixth inning. Horn walked, and Hilling doubled to right field. Knapp came up and hit a sacrifice fly to score Horn. A strikeout followed, but Bucknell had the 4-1 advantage.
Savannah Jones allowed only one baserunner over the final two innings to earn the save and give the Bison a 4-1 win.
Up Next
Bucknell has a rematch tomorrow with Hartford at 9 a.m. and battles Chattanooga at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: COWANS, Lindsey (5-5)
L: Roukey, Madison (3-3)
Batting:
2B: PADILLA, Gabby 2
HR: CASTRO, Alexia 1
RBI: CASTRO, Alexia 4 ; AVILA, Maya 3
SH: CASTRO, Alexia 1 ; BLANCHARD, Kristen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: LYMAN, Camryn 1 ; GILLIES, Priscilla 1 ; CASTRO, Alexia 2 ; PADILLA, Gabby 1 ; AVILA, Maya 1 ; MEDINA, Devon 1 ; BLANCHARD, Kristen 1
PO: LYMAN, Camryn 1 ; CUFFIE, Jazmine 1
Batting:
RBI: Jones, Savannah 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Speicher, Haley 1
CS: Knapp, Chase 1
HBP: Hilling, MaKenzie 1
PO: Lioumis, Nicole 1
