Softball Embarks on Sunshine State Spring Break Trip

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (5-10) is spending spring break in the Sunshine State for a spat of contests at The Spring Games. The Bison participated in last year's Spring Games going 1-4, notching a 1-0 victory over Western Michigan. Bucknell is coming off a 2-1 weekend at the TU DeMarini Invite where the Bison defeated Coppin State twice and narrowly lost to host Towson.

The Starting Lineup
What: The Spring Games
Where: Various Fields (Madeira Beach, Fla.)
When: March 10-12

Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)

Friday, March 10
11:00 a.m. | vs. LIU | Live Stats | Live Watch
1:30 p.m. | vs. Hartford | Live Stats | Live Watch

Saturday, March 11
9:00 a.m. | vs. Hartford | Live Stats | Live Watch
2:00 p.m. | vs. Chattanooga | Live Stats | Live Watch

Sunday, March 12
11:30 a.m. | vs. Iowa | Live Stats | Live Watch

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell went 2-1 at The TU DeMarini Invite last weekend, defeating Coppin State 14-0 and 9-3 and losing to Towson 4-2. It was the first winning weekend for the Bison since 2020.
Chase Knapp dominated the weekend hitting 4-9 with two doubles, a triple, and a home run. The senior drove in six RBIs for the Bison.
Olivia Marinelli entered the second game against Coppin State and threw four scoreless innings for the victory.
Madison Roukey tossed a complete game shutout in the first game against Coppin State.

Overview of the Opposition

LIU- The Sharks have not been impacted by the severe weather dotting the early softball season, as LIU has played 23 games going 10-13. They have spent the last week at the Spring Games putting together a 4-4 record. Kristen Blanchard leads the way with a .317 batting average. Two players have hit three home runs. Kira Buckner is the ace with a 2.16 ERA.
Hartford- The Hawks are 3-2 having started the season on Feb. 24. Kelsey Galevich is off to a blistering start hitting .467 with ten total bases. Hartford contains a pair of senior hurlers in Lauren Card and Caylee English.
Chattanooga- Usually a strong program, the Mocs are 9-5 in the young season. Chattanooga boasts three .300 hitters, with Olivia Lipari leading the way at .342. Adison Keylon has hit four home runs. Taylor Long is the staff ace with a 3-0 record and a 1.38 ERA.
Iowa- The Hawkeyes are 11-8 on the season having played a slate of diverse foes. Nia Carter is the leading hitter batting an astounding .484. Denali Loecker provides the power with five home runs. Pitcher Jalen Adams has a 3-4 record but holds an ERA of 0.69.

History with the Foes

LIU- Bucknell is 0-1 against the LIU Sharks falling 7-2 at last year's Spring Games. LIU is a relatively new program formed out of the union of Division I LIU Brooklyn and Division II LIU Post.
Hartford- The Bison are 1-0 all-time against the Connecticut school winning 3-1 back in 2011. These games will likely be the last contests between the schools as Hartford is dropping down to Division III.
Chattanooga- Bucknell is 0-2 against the Mocs. Both meetings occurred last year at Chattanooga.
Iowa- The Orange & Blue have played Big 10 foe Iowa once and lost 5-3 in 2019.

Up Next

Bucknell stays down in Florida for a showdown with nationally ranked Florida under the lights on Wednesday night.

Softball Embarks on Sunshine State Spring Break Trip

Players Mentioned

Chase Knapp

Olivia Marinelli

Madison Roukey

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