Bucknell University
Lafayette
Softball Opens Conference Play In Weekend Series at Lafayette
3/20/2024 2:00:00 PM | Softball
The Starting Lineup
What: Conference Series at Lafayette
Where: Lafayette Softball Field (Easton, Pa.)
When: March 22 & 24
Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)
Friday, March 22
4:30 p.m. | at Lafayette | Live Stats | Live Watch
Sunday, March 24
12:00 p.m. | at Lafayette | Live Stats | Live Watch
2:00 p.m. | at Lafayette | Live Stats | Live Watch
Caffrey's Call
"We are looking forward to our first Patriot League games at Lafayette. We have things we want to accomplish, and that all starts this weekend. I'm thrilled for this team to play our conference opponents, and I'm looking forward to us putting it all together during the last half of the season. We have had some great games offensively and defensively and I think now is the time to put those two things together consistently. We can compete with anyone. It's about us and staying focused on our process of how to win. Every game from here to the end is a tough game, and this team is up for that challenge."
The Inside "Herd" on the Bison
- Bucknell totaled three wins during the Spring Break trip, defeating Central Michigan, Manhattan, and Siena.
- Senior catcher Zoie Smith has burned brightly in the non-conference portion of the schedule, leading the Bison in numerous categories: average (.309), hits (21), runs (15), doubles (6), home runs (3), RBIs (16), total bases (38), slugging percentage (.559), on-base percentage (.415), and stolen bases (4).
- Junior first baseman MaKenzie Hilling and Smith are tied for the team lead in walks (13). That mark is tied for second in the PL.
- Junior hurler Madison Roukey has developed into one of the Patriot League's finest pitchers. The upperclassman's 56 strikeouts are tied for second in the PL. Her 2.33 ERA ranks fourth in the circuit.
Overview of the Opposition
- Lafayette- The Leopards are 3-17. They opened the first weekend with two wins (Buffalo & Tarleton State) in five games but have gone 1-11 over their last 12 contests. Their last weekend was at the Maryland Softball Tournament, where they defeated Fairfield and lost to Bryant, Maryland, and Purdue Fort Wayne. Interestingly, Lafayette played fellow Patriot League foe Colgate in a non-conference game. Colgate won. The Leopards are hitting .232 but boast three .300 hitters, with Mary Grace O'Neill's .338 average leading the bunch. Lafayette mainly uses three pitchers, with Jacqueline Cal serving as the ace.
History with the Foes
- Lafayette- Bucknell is 92-41 against Lafayette. The series is the second-oldest constantly running series in Bison history behind Lehigh. The rivalry began in 1979 (Bucknell's first year of softball) and has never stopped except in 1981 and 2020 (COVID). Head coach Sarah Caffrey is 9-1 against the Leopards.
Up Next
The Bison play a midweek game at Penn State on March 26.
