Bucknell University
7-11
Hartford
3-5
Run-Rule Win over Hartford Highlights Day Two of the Spring Games
3/11/2023 5:42:00 PM | Softball
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (7-12) split day two at the Spring Games. The Bison run-ruled Hartford 11-3 in five innings and fell 4-2 to southern power Chattanooga.
The Bison jumped all over the Hartford Hawks in the first two innings building a 9-0 lead. Hartford scored three runs attempting to avoid an early exit, but the Bison scored twice to end their vain hopes. Savannah Jones was the leading hitter plating four runs, including three on a bases-clearing triple.
Chattanooga scored tallied twice in the first inning. Bucknell scored once in response. UTC twice scored a run in two different innings to build a 4-1 advantage. Zoie Smith smashed a home run to cut the deficit to 4-2. The Bison placed a runner in the top of the seventh inning but could not tie the game.
Caffrey's Call
"I'm pleased that we took care of business this morning. I know we want our Chattanooga game back. If we play a little cleaner on defense, we are in that game with a position to win. Ultimately, a 2-2 record after four games still gives us a chance to win the weekend, and that is what our focus is right now.
"We have one more game tomorrow, and I'm excited to see how we show up."
Game One: Bucknell 11, Hartford 3 (Five Innings)
Madison Roukey started in the circle and mowed down Hartford in 1-2-3 fashion.
The Bison struck early, scoring in the first inning when Savannah Jones singled and stole second, and Zoie Smith drove her on a sharp single for the 1-0 lead.
Bucknell broke the game wide open in the second inning. The Bison hit six straight singles to start the scoring. Angelina Seropian commenced the singling. Noelle Gardon continued, and Elena Horn also loaded the bases. Annabella Hawkins' single scored Seropian. Haley Speicher singled to score Gardon. MaKenzie Hilling drove in Horn with her Texas Leaguer. Jones ended the streak of singles with a mighty triple down the left field line to clear the bases and give Bucknell a 7-0 lead. The resulting blow chased the Hartford starter. All the hits occurred with zero outs. Smith kept the streak going with an RBI single. Chase Knapp hit an infield single. A pop-up and fielder's choice followed. Horn's second single of the inning scored Knapp. A second fielder's choice ended the inning, but Bucknell led 9-0.
Both teams were retired in order in the third inning.
Hartford rallied in the fourth inning. Three walks loaded the bases, and a pinch hitter doubled to score three runs for the Hawks. Kaiya Burton entered the circle for Bucknell and promptly dealt with the threat.
The Bison responded with a run in their fourth frame. Knapp hit a bunt single and stole second base. Seropian's grounder advanced her to third. Knapp then scored on a passed ball for a 10-3 advantage.
Bucknell invoked the run rule in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kailyn Lorberter was plunked by a pitch and Hawkins pinch-ran for her. Speicher hit a bunt single which advanced Hawkins to third. Speicher then stole second. Hilling tried the squeeze play, but Hartford threw home to nab Hawkins. It proved a reprieve as Jones singled down the left field line to score Speicher and end the game 11-3.
Game Two: Chattanooga 4, Bucknell 2
Savannah Jones started in the circle for the Bison.
Chattanooga scored twice in the bottom of the first inning. Two bunt singles started the frame. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third. An error scored the first run, and a sacrifice fly plated the second score. A strikeout followed, but the Mocs led 2-0.
Bucknell countered in the top of the second inning. Gardon singled sharply to right center field. Ava Aguilar reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Horn then doubled to left field to score Aguilar. Horn advanced to third on a passed ball. But a strikeout ended the frame with Bucknell trailing 2-1.
Chattanooga added a run in the bottom of the third inning. A single and wild pitch placed a runner on second base. A grounder advanced the runner to third base and a second single scored her for the 3-1 Mocs lead.
Olivia Marinelli entered the circle in the fourth inning. Chattanooga doubled, and an error with two outs scored the runner. A fielder's choice ended the inning, but the Mocs had a 4-1 advantage.
Bucknell scored in the sixth inning when Zoie Smith launched a moon shot in the Sunshine State. The catcher smashed the ball over the left-center field fence.
The Bison had a final chance in the top of the seventh inning when Aguilar reached on catcher's interference, but a lineout and a strikeout ended the game.
Up Next
The Bison wrap up The Spring Games tomorrow with a matchup against Iowa at 11:30 a.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Alyssa Lavdis (3-0)
L: Jones, Savannah (3-2)
Batting:
2B: Horn, Elena 1
HR: Smith, Zoie 1
RBI: Smith, Zoie 1 ; Horn, Elena 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Smith, Zoie 1 ; Aguilar, Ava 1
SB: Aguilar, Ava 1 ; Horn, Elena 1
Batting:
2B: Presley Williamson 1
RBI: Acelynn Sellers 2 ; Kaili Phillips 1
SH: Olivia Lipari 2
SF: Kaili Phillips 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Emily Coltharp 2 ; Zoe Wright 1 ; Kailey Snell 1
CS: Adison Keylon 1
