Friday, March 22
Easton, PA
4:30 p.m.
Bucknell University
10-15, 1-0
3
at
1
Lafayette
3-18, 0-1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Bucknell
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
3
10
0
Lafayette
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
2
2
Roukey's Complete Game Propels Bucknell Past Lafayette in 3-1 Triumph
3/22/2024 6:51:00 PM | Softball
EASTON, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (10-15, 1-0 Patriot League) defeated the Lafayette Leopards (3-18, 0-1 Patriot League), 3-1 on Friday afternoon to open conference play.
Caffrey's Call
"I'm proud of the fight we showed in our Patriot League game. I think it's easy to overlook the butterflies and the excitement that comes from conference play. While we were not perfect in all areas we stayed in control and found a way to win the game. Madison Roukey was outstanding in the circle and paced our momentum the entire game. There was a big team win and a great starting place for us this conference season."
Madison Roukey headlined the Bison efforts, throwing a complete game gem. The junior pitcher had a perfect game bid going into the bottom of the fifth inning before a two-out double fell just past Savannah Jones' glove.
The Bison scored one run in the third inning on rookie Brooke Popella's single and added two runs in the top of the seventh frame when Lafayette committed a throwing error on Molly Lawson's single. The mishap proved decisive since Lafayette hit a solo home run in their last at-bats.
Recap
The Bison threatened in the first inning. Zoie Smith singled with two outs, and Popella worked a walk. MaKenzie Hilling smashed a heavy blow, but the ball found a Leopard glove.
Savannah Jones led off the second inning with a stand-up double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, she was left stranded.
Bucknell broke through in the third inning with two outs magic. Elena Horn flew out, Haley Speicher singled and advanced to second on Smith's long foul ball.
Popella hit a dying quail to center field. The center fielder made a valiant effort, but the ball popped out of her diving glove. Speicher, running with the pitch, dashed across the plate. Hilling walked, and Jones singled to load the bases, but Gardon's grounder ended the inning without further damage.
Lafayette spoiled the perfect game in the fifth inning with a two-out double. A walk followed, but Roukey remained the master ace and induced a grounder to end the threat.
Bucknell added insurance runs in the seventh inning, and once again, they came with two outs. Hilling singled up the middle and was replaced by Sarah Zimmerman, pinch-runner extraordinaire. Jones singled, moving Zimmerman to second. Coach Caffery made a brilliant strategic maneuver by inserting Lawson as a pinch hitter. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base. Lawson singled to the shortstop. The throw to first was late and in the dirt. It escaped the first baseman, allowing the additional run to score. Rapino popped up, but the Bison led 3-0.
The insurance runs proved crucial. The leadoff batter struck out and nearly reached when the third strike flew to the backstop, but Smith recovered and tossed a dart to Hilling. The next batter, Lafayette's Coyle, crushed a ball over the left field. Roukey stayed focused and obtained the final two outs.
Notes
Bridget Haller made her collegiate debut as a pinch runner when she was substituted for Nicole Lioumis.
Bucknell won its first conference opener since 2021. Incidentally, Lafayette was the defeated party.
Up Next
The Orange & Blue Crew remain in Easton for a Sunday doubleheader against Lafayette.
Caffrey's Call
"I'm proud of the fight we showed in our Patriot League game. I think it's easy to overlook the butterflies and the excitement that comes from conference play. While we were not perfect in all areas we stayed in control and found a way to win the game. Madison Roukey was outstanding in the circle and paced our momentum the entire game. There was a big team win and a great starting place for us this conference season."
Madison Roukey headlined the Bison efforts, throwing a complete game gem. The junior pitcher had a perfect game bid going into the bottom of the fifth inning before a two-out double fell just past Savannah Jones' glove.
The Bison scored one run in the third inning on rookie Brooke Popella's single and added two runs in the top of the seventh frame when Lafayette committed a throwing error on Molly Lawson's single. The mishap proved decisive since Lafayette hit a solo home run in their last at-bats.
Recap
The Bison threatened in the first inning. Zoie Smith singled with two outs, and Popella worked a walk. MaKenzie Hilling smashed a heavy blow, but the ball found a Leopard glove.
Savannah Jones led off the second inning with a stand-up double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, she was left stranded.
Bucknell broke through in the third inning with two outs magic. Elena Horn flew out, Haley Speicher singled and advanced to second on Smith's long foul ball.
Popella hit a dying quail to center field. The center fielder made a valiant effort, but the ball popped out of her diving glove. Speicher, running with the pitch, dashed across the plate. Hilling walked, and Jones singled to load the bases, but Gardon's grounder ended the inning without further damage.
Lafayette spoiled the perfect game in the fifth inning with a two-out double. A walk followed, but Roukey remained the master ace and induced a grounder to end the threat.
Bucknell added insurance runs in the seventh inning, and once again, they came with two outs. Hilling singled up the middle and was replaced by Sarah Zimmerman, pinch-runner extraordinaire. Jones singled, moving Zimmerman to second. Coach Caffery made a brilliant strategic maneuver by inserting Lawson as a pinch hitter. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base. Lawson singled to the shortstop. The throw to first was late and in the dirt. It escaped the first baseman, allowing the additional run to score. Rapino popped up, but the Bison led 3-0.
The insurance runs proved crucial. The leadoff batter struck out and nearly reached when the third strike flew to the backstop, but Smith recovered and tossed a dart to Hilling. The next batter, Lafayette's Coyle, crushed a ball over the left field. Roukey stayed focused and obtained the final two outs.
Notes
Bridget Haller made her collegiate debut as a pinch runner when she was substituted for Nicole Lioumis.
Bucknell won its first conference opener since 2021. Incidentally, Lafayette was the defeated party.
Up Next
The Orange & Blue Crew remain in Easton for a Sunday doubleheader against Lafayette.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Roukey, Madison (4-6)
L: Sawai, Kailee (2-6)
Batting:
2B: Jones, Savannah 1
RBI: Popella, Brooke 1 ; Lawson, Molly 1
SH: Gardon, Noelle 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Speicher, Haley 1 ; Zimmerman, Sarah 1 ; Jones, Savannah 1
Batting:
2B: Catalina, Olivia 1
HR: Coyle, Megan 1
RBI: Coyle, Megan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coyle, Megan 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
4
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballRHP/OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC/Util
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
LHP/OF
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