Bucknell University Athletics
Zoie Smith Lands Spot on Softball Preseason All-Patriot League Team; Bison Picked to Finish Fourth
2/1/2024 11:05:00 AM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team, fresh off making the Patriot League Tournament in 2023 for the first time since 2019, was picked to finish tied for fourth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll as voted by league coaches and sport information directors. Zoie Smith made the Preseason All-Patriot League Team the first Bison since Nicole Rivalt in 2022.
"As a team, even with being predicted fourth in the league, we are focused on ourselves and what we can do to make this season successful," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. "Ultimately, we have some talented newcomers mixed in with some experienced veterans, which will be fun to coach and even more exciting to watch them compete."
The reigning champion Boston Terriers were picked to repeat as champions. Lehigh and Army were selected to finish second and third as they did last season. Bucknell and Colgate tied for fourth place. Last season, the Orange & Blue beat out Colgate for fourth place and the final tournament seed by sweeping Lafayette, while Army defeated Colgate. Holy Cross was slotted for sixth, and Lafayette was penciled in for seventh.Â
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Smith enters her senior season seeking to continue her success from 2023, where she earned First Team All-Patriot League. Her 15 doubles ranked third in the Patriot League and she was 19th nationally in doubles per game. The catcher hit .353 to lead the Bison and finish seventh in the circuit. Her slugging percentage (.511) slotted sixth in the League, and she developed into one of the most efficient base-stealers, going 10-of-11 in 2023 after not recording a steal in her first two campaigns.Â
"I'm thrilled that Zoie was named for the preseason All-League team," said Caffrey. "She is a tremendous athlete and has earned the respect of many of the teams in the conference. I'm eager to watch her play this year and know she worked to make it a special season."
The senior catcher left her mark on the Bucknell record book, with her 15 two-baggers tied for third in Bucknell single-season history. She has 28 career doubles and will only require three more to enter the top ten in Bucknell history. She is also one hit away from collecting 100. Smith has a remarkable 99 hits in only 312 at-bats. Smith has also become one of the best fielders in the circuit, compiling a .983 fielding percentage.Â
The Bucknell Bison begin the 2023 season on Feb. 9 against George Washington at the Kickin' Chicken Classic.Â
2024 Patriot League Softball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Kayla Roncin, Boston University, Sr., SS
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Gr., 3B
Preseason Pitcher of the Year – Allison Boaz, Boston University, Gr., P
Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Taylor Brown, Army West Point, So., INF
Kayla Edwards, Army West Point, Sr., OF
Allison Boaz, Boston University, Gr., P
Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Gr., 3B
Lauren Keleher, Boston University, Sr., OF
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, So., P
Kayla Roncin, Boston University, Sr., SS
Zoie Smith, Bucknell, Sr., C/U
Kara Fusco, Colgate, Sr., 1B
Josie Charles, Lehigh, Gr., OF
Emily Cimino, Lehigh, Gr., OF
Katelyn Young, Lehigh, Sr., P
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"As a team, even with being predicted fourth in the league, we are focused on ourselves and what we can do to make this season successful," said head coach Sarah Caffrey. "Ultimately, we have some talented newcomers mixed in with some experienced veterans, which will be fun to coach and even more exciting to watch them compete."
The reigning champion Boston Terriers were picked to repeat as champions. Lehigh and Army were selected to finish second and third as they did last season. Bucknell and Colgate tied for fourth place. Last season, the Orange & Blue beat out Colgate for fourth place and the final tournament seed by sweeping Lafayette, while Army defeated Colgate. Holy Cross was slotted for sixth, and Lafayette was penciled in for seventh.Â
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| Slot | Team | Votes (First Place Votes) |
| #1 | Boston | 72 (12) |
| #2 | Lehigh | 61 (1) |
| #3 | Army | 52 (1) |
| #4 | Bucknell | 37 |
| #4 | Colgate | 37 |
| #6 | Holy Cross | 19 |
| #7 | Lafayette | 16 |
Smith enters her senior season seeking to continue her success from 2023, where she earned First Team All-Patriot League. Her 15 doubles ranked third in the Patriot League and she was 19th nationally in doubles per game. The catcher hit .353 to lead the Bison and finish seventh in the circuit. Her slugging percentage (.511) slotted sixth in the League, and she developed into one of the most efficient base-stealers, going 10-of-11 in 2023 after not recording a steal in her first two campaigns.Â
"I'm thrilled that Zoie was named for the preseason All-League team," said Caffrey. "She is a tremendous athlete and has earned the respect of many of the teams in the conference. I'm eager to watch her play this year and know she worked to make it a special season."
The senior catcher left her mark on the Bucknell record book, with her 15 two-baggers tied for third in Bucknell single-season history. She has 28 career doubles and will only require three more to enter the top ten in Bucknell history. She is also one hit away from collecting 100. Smith has a remarkable 99 hits in only 312 at-bats. Smith has also become one of the best fielders in the circuit, compiling a .983 fielding percentage.Â
The Bucknell Bison begin the 2023 season on Feb. 9 against George Washington at the Kickin' Chicken Classic.Â
2024 Patriot League Softball Preseason Awards
Preseason Player of the Year – Kayla Roncin, Boston University, Sr., SS
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Gr., 3B
Preseason Pitcher of the Year – Allison Boaz, Boston University, Gr., P
Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Taylor Brown, Army West Point, So., INF
Kayla Edwards, Army West Point, Sr., OF
Allison Boaz, Boston University, Gr., P
Caitlin Coker, Boston University, Gr., 3B
Lauren Keleher, Boston University, Sr., OF
Kasey Ricard, Boston University, So., P
Kayla Roncin, Boston University, Sr., SS
Zoie Smith, Bucknell, Sr., C/U
Kara Fusco, Colgate, Sr., 1B
Josie Charles, Lehigh, Gr., OF
Emily Cimino, Lehigh, Gr., OF
Katelyn Young, Lehigh, Sr., P
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Players Mentioned
C/Util
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