Bucknell University
16-29
Boston University
49-8
Softball Gives Boston a Battle in 5-1 Tournament Defeat
5/11/2023 3:02:00 PM | Softball
BOSTON, Mass.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (16-29, 8-10 PL) fought the #1 seed Boston University Terriers to a 5-1 defeat in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament on Thursday afternoon. The Orange & Blue struck first for a 1-0 lead, but a call at home plate went Boston's way to build a 3-1 advantage for the home team. Boston added two more runs to seal their victory.
Recap
Olivia Marinelli started in the circle for the Bison and delivered two scoreless innings against the potent bats of the Terriers.
The Bison had two runners on in the first inning. Haley Speicher and Zoie Smith singled, but the Bison could not capitalize.
Bucknell scored first in the second inning. With two outs, Noelle Gardon smacked a double off the wall. Annabella Hawkins worked the count to 3-2 and then delivered a solid single up the middle to draw first blood and the 1-0 lead.
Boston grabbed the lead in the third inning. The leadoff batter walked and a sacrifice bunt advanced her to second. A foul ball was the second out. A single to center field drew a laser throw home from Speicher. Smith applied the tag, but the runner was controversially declared safe. The run tallied, and the inning continued. A second single scored another run. An infield single followed by a wild throwing error plated the third run. Savannah Jones entered the circle and induced the final out.
Bucknell attempted to counterattack in the following inning. Chase Knapp singled, and Kailyn Lorberter walked. Ava Aguilar sacrificed them to second and third. Gardon walked to load the bases. But Hawkins and Spiecher valiantly went down swinging, narrowly missing the big hit.
Boston added two insurance runs in the fifth inning. A leadoff single and triple scored a run and brought in Kaiya Burton. A walk and a steal of second base followed. A double play occurred when Aguilar caught the fly ball, and the runner at third was called out for leaving early. An RBI single struck for the fifth run. A strikeout ended the frame.
The Bison fought again in the sixth inning. Aguilar and Gardon singled with two outs, but a Hawkins grounder ended the inning.
Bucknell made life interesting in the final inning. MaKenzie Hilling and Savannah Jones hit sharp singles, but a Knapp pop-up ended the game.
Up Next
The Bison return to action tomorrow at 1:30 pm. Their opponent will be the loser of the Lehigh-Army contest.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ricard, Kasey (20-2)
L: Marinelli, Olivia (4-7)
Batting:
2B: Gardon, Noelle 1
RBI: Hawkins, Annabella 1
SH: Aguilar, Ava 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gardon, Noelle 1
Batting:
3B: Keleher, Lauren 1
RBI: Keleher, Lauren 2 ; Roncin, Kayla 1 ; Gant, Emily 1
SH: Amodio, Nicole 1 ; Pryor, Kate 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Keleher, Lauren 1 ; Roncin, Kayla 2 ; Metz, Aimee 1 ; Sellers, Audrey 1
SB: Roncin, Kayla 1
