Bucknell University
7-14
Florida
20-4
Softball Drops Game to Nationally Ranked Florida
3/15/2023 9:47:00 PM | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (7-14) fought valiantly against the #8 ranked Florida Gators and came within one out of extending the game to its full seven innings. The Bison ultimately lost 8-0 to the SEC powerhouse in six innings.
Bucknell obtained several scoreless innings on defense. The Orange & Blue offensively hit several hard balls, but the line drives either had eyes for the Gator gloves or were tracked down by the Florida outfielders. Knapp recorded the sole Bison hit on a sharp single.
Recap
Kaiya Burton started in the circle for the Bison.
Florida struck for two runs in the first inning. A double and single scored the first run for the Gators. Two tough plays were labeled singles for Florida, providing the second score for the home team. Burton stood like a bulwark and obtained the final out.
Chase Knapp sparkled defensively in the bottom of the second inning. With one out and the runner on first base, the senior shortstop snared a screaming liner with an incredible dive. She then fired across the diamond to complete the double play.
Florida tacked on two more runs in their third frame. A home run led off the Gators' inning. A single and hit-by-pitch set up the next chance. Florida converted the opportunity with a solid single to go up 4-0.
In the fourth inning, Knapp notched the only Bison hit of the game by slamming a single into left field. The Bison could not convert on the opportunity when Knapp was narrowly caught stealing.
The Gators added two more runs in their frame of the fourth. A triple started the inning. Savannah Jones then entered the circle. A double followed along with a steal of third base. An RBI grounder created a 6-0 advantage for the Gainesville school.
Florida had a chance to end the game in the fifth inning after the first two hitters reached via errors, but Savannah Jones shut down the Gators by obtaining three straight grounders to eliminate the threat.
Florida won the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. A walk and double scored the seventh run. With two outs, another double brought home the eighth run and invoked the run rule.
Up Next
The Bison finish the spring break trip with four games starting on Saturday at the Maryland Tournament.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Samantha Bender (1-0)
L: Burton, Kaiya (0-5)
Base Running:
CS: Knapp, Chase 1
Batting:
2B: Kendra Falby 1 ; Skylar Wallace 1 ; Charla Echols 1 ; Sam Roe 1
3B: Katie Kistler 1
HR: Skylar Wallace 1
RBI: Kendra Falby 1 ; Skylar Wallace 2 ; Charla Echols 2 ; Reagan Walsh 1 ; Sam Roe 1 ; Avery Goelz 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kendra Falby 1 ; Skylar Wallace 3 ; Charla Echols 2 ; Katie Kistler 1 ; Rylee Trlicek 1
SB: Kendra Falby 1
HBP: Pal Egan 1
