Bucknell University
16-30
Army
21-36
Softball Ends Season with Narrow Loss to Army
5/12/2023 4:00:00 PM | Softball
BOSTON, Mass.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (16-30, 8-10 PL) was defeated 3-2 by the three-seed Army Black Knights (21-36, 10-8 PL). The loss ended the Bison's participation in the Patriot League Tournament and their season. Bucknell jumped out to a 1-0 lead, fell behind 2-1, and tied it up 2-2, before falling 3-2.
Recap
Bucknell jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first inning. With one out, MaKenzie Hilling doubled to right center, and Zoie Smith advanced her to third with a grounder. Savannah Jones entered the box with two outs and smoked an RBI single to score Hilling. Jones was called out for leaving early on a stolen base attempt, but the Bison had the early lead.
Olivia Marinelli started in the circle for the Bison and pitched two scoreless innings before being scored upon in the third frame. A leadoff double and sacrifice bunt placed a runner on third. An RBI single down the right-field line tied the game. A bunt single followed, and Kaiya Burton replaced Marinelli in the circle. The veteran relief ace quickly induced the final two outs.
Bucknell had a golden opportunity in the following inning. Smith led off with a walk. Savannah Jones reached on an error. Chase Knapp followed with a fielder's choice, which erased Smith at third. Kailyn Lorberter's fly-out to right field occurred next. Ava Aguilar hit a high-chopping infield single to load the bases. However, Noelle Gardon's grounder ended the inning.
Army grabbed the lead in the fifth inning. A leadoff single and wild pitch placed the runner on second base. Burton obtained a key strikeout for the final out. The next batter hit a grounder to Gardon for the apparent second out. Gardon looked back at the runner at second and attempted to throw her out, but the missile flew into the right field. The runner scored, the batter ended up at third, and Army had the 2-1 lead. Burton remained collected and prevented further damage by making a sensational play on a squeeze attempt by the Black Knights. She shoveled the ball to Smith, who tagged out the runner. A pop-up ended the frame.
Bucknell answered in the sixth inning. With one out, Knapp doubled down the left field line. Aguilar came up with two outs, and the outfielder smashed a hot single up the middle to score the senior shortstop. Gardon followed with her specialty, a walk. But an Annabella Hawkins grounder concluded the half-inning.
The Black Knights regained the lead in their half of the sixth inning. A leadoff walk was followed by a sacrifice bunt attempt. Hilling stretched for the ball and appeared to keep her foot on the bag, but the umpire said it was off. Both runners were safe and advanced to second and third by the next batter's bunt. A sacrifice fly scored the go-ahead run.
Bucknell fought to the end. Haley Speicher was out by half a step on a grounder. Hilling smacked a single into left field. Bella Radican entered to run for the first baseman. Smith appeared to hit a base hit, but the Army center fielder went for broke and made a diving catch to rob the junior catcher. Jones hit a soft liner, and Army escaped with the 3-2 victory.
Up Next
The Bison head home and await the start of fall ball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Grete, Alicyn (5-11)
L: Burton, Kaiya (4-8)
Batting:
2B: Hilling, MaKenzie 1 ; Knapp, Chase 1
RBI: Jones, Savannah 1 ; Aguilar, Ava 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hilling, MaKenzie 1 ; Knapp, Chase 1
Batting:
2B: Wilkes, Maddie 1
RBI: Edwards, Kayla 1 ; Little, Lauren 1
SH: White, Ashton 1 ; Donaldson, Kaci 1 ; Farris, Julia 1
SF: Edwards, Kayla 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brown, Taylor 1 ; Wilkes, Maddie 1 ; Dones, Maaika 1
