Sunday, March 24
Easton, PA
12 p.m.
Bucknell University
11-15, 2-0
2
at
1
Lafayette
3-19, 0-2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R
H
E
Bucknell
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
2
6
1
Lafayette
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
Roukey's Two Wins Power Softball's Sweep of Lafayette
3/24/2024 7:47:00 PM | Softball
EASTON, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (12-15, 3-0 Patriot League) ran its conference-best winning streak in league play to nine games by defeating the Lafayette Leopards (3-20, 0-3 Patriot League), 2-1 (8) and 4-1 on Sunday afternoon. It is the first time the Bison have swept the opening weekend for Patriot League play since 2021.
Caffrey's Call
"This weekend set the tone for what is to come. We're not satisfied with our performance as an offense, but we know that winning in conference is what matters, so to walk away with a sweep on the first weekend is exciting. Our pitching and defense defined the three games, and there was a high level sense of calm, and it just felt like each game was in our control. Roukey has been special this season, and anytime she is on the mound, we know we have a chance to win. Offensively, we have identified a few areas to get better and I know we will. It is a solid start and puts us into a great spot as we head into a new week with PSU and Army, both of which are competitive teams."
The Bison efforts were headlined by ace pitching from Madison Roukey and Savannah Jones. Roukey earned both wins by pitching in relief for the first contest and tossing a complete game in game two. Jones threw five innings of no-hit ball in the first game. Jones also drove in both runs in the 2-1 victory.
Game One Recap
Bucknell had plenty of base-runners in the game but left nine on-base which extended the game into extra innings. Jones started in the circle for the Bison.
Lafayette struck for a run in the first inning. The leadoff hitter, Mary Grace O'Neill, walked, swiped second, and stole third. Jones unleashed a wild pitch which scored O'Neill. Coyle walked, but the inning ended on a double play when Noelle Gardon collected a line drive and threw it to MaKenzie Hilling.
The Bison tied the contest in the fourth inning. Brooke Popella walked and advanced to second on Hilling's grounder. That brought up Jones with two outs. The junior slugger bashed a double off the left-field wall to score Popella.
The Leopards almost regained the lead in their frame, but Jones remained steady. Coyle and Klug walked and, with two outs, advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Brown struck out swinging to erase the threat.
Roukey entered the circle in the fifth inning and unlocked two straight 1-2-3 innings. Lafayette obtained its first hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. and a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, but a swinging strikeout sent the game to extra innings.
Zoie Smith started the eighth inning with her special tactic: a double. Popella and Hilling both grounded out, but Hilling's effort advanced Smith to third. Jones again served as the RBI machine and looped a single to right field to score the senior catcher. Bucknell had the 2-1 lead.
Lafayette's leadoff hitter walked, but Roukey remained the master, obtaining three straight outs to end the inning. The last out came on a swinging strikeout.
Game Two Recap
Both teams scored a run in the opening inning. Haley Speicher commenced a 4-of-5 hitting game with an infield single. Elena Horn's grounder advanced her to second, and Smith's single up the middle sent the speedy outfielder across home plate.
Lafayette counterattacked when O'Neill singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. A Coyle sacrifice fly scored O'Neill to tie the game.
Bucknell tallied two runs in the third inning. Bella Radican reached on an error and advanced to third on Speicher's single. Lafayette changed pitchers, but the Bison would not be halted. Horn singled up the middle to score Radican, and Smith reached on an error to load the bases. Popella struck out swinging, but Hilling hit a sacrifice fly to score Speicher. Jones singled, but Horn was thrown out at home to end the inning.
The Bison had a chance to blow the game wide open in the fourth inning when Gardon walked, Speicher singled, and Horn walked. But Smith's grounder ended the inning without damage.
The Orange & Blue Crew added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Speicher doubled to right center, and Horn reached on a second baseman's error. Smith's single sent Speicher dashing for home plate. Popella's single loaded the bases, but two straight outs ended the chance.
It did not matter as Roukey shut down the Leopards to seal the 4-1 victory and pick up her third win of the weekend.
Up Next
The Bison travel to University Park on March 26 to play Penn State in the Route 45 Rivalry.
Caffrey's Call
"This weekend set the tone for what is to come. We're not satisfied with our performance as an offense, but we know that winning in conference is what matters, so to walk away with a sweep on the first weekend is exciting. Our pitching and defense defined the three games, and there was a high level sense of calm, and it just felt like each game was in our control. Roukey has been special this season, and anytime she is on the mound, we know we have a chance to win. Offensively, we have identified a few areas to get better and I know we will. It is a solid start and puts us into a great spot as we head into a new week with PSU and Army, both of which are competitive teams."
The Bison efforts were headlined by ace pitching from Madison Roukey and Savannah Jones. Roukey earned both wins by pitching in relief for the first contest and tossing a complete game in game two. Jones threw five innings of no-hit ball in the first game. Jones also drove in both runs in the 2-1 victory.
Game One Recap
Bucknell had plenty of base-runners in the game but left nine on-base which extended the game into extra innings. Jones started in the circle for the Bison.
Lafayette struck for a run in the first inning. The leadoff hitter, Mary Grace O'Neill, walked, swiped second, and stole third. Jones unleashed a wild pitch which scored O'Neill. Coyle walked, but the inning ended on a double play when Noelle Gardon collected a line drive and threw it to MaKenzie Hilling.
The Bison tied the contest in the fourth inning. Brooke Popella walked and advanced to second on Hilling's grounder. That brought up Jones with two outs. The junior slugger bashed a double off the left-field wall to score Popella.
Jones ties the game with a smashing double off the wall!
— Bucknell Softball (@Bucknell_SB) March 24, 2024
1-1 in Easton!@ESPN | @PatriotLeague#rayBucknell | #Team46 pic.twitter.com/RXmofhANXo
The Leopards almost regained the lead in their frame, but Jones remained steady. Coyle and Klug walked and, with two outs, advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Brown struck out swinging to erase the threat.
Roukey entered the circle in the fifth inning and unlocked two straight 1-2-3 innings. Lafayette obtained its first hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. and a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, but a swinging strikeout sent the game to extra innings.
Zoie Smith started the eighth inning with her special tactic: a double. Popella and Hilling both grounded out, but Hilling's effort advanced Smith to third. Jones again served as the RBI machine and looped a single to right field to score the senior catcher. Bucknell had the 2-1 lead.
JONES!!!!!!!!
— Bucknell Softball (@Bucknell_SB) March 24, 2024
BISON LEAD 2-1!!!!@ESPN | @PatriotLeague#rayBucknell | #Team46 pic.twitter.com/RBMPGXem6Y
Lafayette's leadoff hitter walked, but Roukey remained the master, obtaining three straight outs to end the inning. The last out came on a swinging strikeout.
MADDIE THE BADDIE ENDS THE GAME!
— Bucknell Softball (@Bucknell_SB) March 24, 2024
DON'T MESS WITH HER!@ESPN | @PatriotLeague#rayBucknell | #Team46 pic.twitter.com/HBRzls2BwT
Game Two Recap
Both teams scored a run in the opening inning. Haley Speicher commenced a 4-of-5 hitting game with an infield single. Elena Horn's grounder advanced her to second, and Smith's single up the middle sent the speedy outfielder across home plate.
Lafayette counterattacked when O'Neill singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. A Coyle sacrifice fly scored O'Neill to tie the game.
Bucknell tallied two runs in the third inning. Bella Radican reached on an error and advanced to third on Speicher's single. Lafayette changed pitchers, but the Bison would not be halted. Horn singled up the middle to score Radican, and Smith reached on an error to load the bases. Popella struck out swinging, but Hilling hit a sacrifice fly to score Speicher. Jones singled, but Horn was thrown out at home to end the inning.
The Bison had a chance to blow the game wide open in the fourth inning when Gardon walked, Speicher singled, and Horn walked. But Smith's grounder ended the inning without damage.
The Orange & Blue Crew added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Speicher doubled to right center, and Horn reached on a second baseman's error. Smith's single sent Speicher dashing for home plate. Popella's single loaded the bases, but two straight outs ended the chance.
It did not matter as Roukey shut down the Leopards to seal the 4-1 victory and pick up her third win of the weekend.
Up Next
The Bison travel to University Park on March 26 to play Penn State in the Route 45 Rivalry.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Roukey, Madison (6-6)
L: Cal, Jacqueline (1-6)
Batting:
2B: Speicher, Haley 1
RBI: Horn, Elena 1 ; Smith, Zoie 2 ; Hilling, MaKenzie 1
SH: Jones, Savannah 1
SF: Hilling, MaKenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Speicher, Haley 3 ; Radican, Bella 1
SB: Speicher, Haley 1
Batting:
2B: Catalina, Olivia 1
RBI: Coyle, Megan 1
SF: Coyle, Megan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: O'Neill, Mary Grace 1
SB: O'Neill, Mary Grace 1
CS: O'Neill, Mary Grace 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
3
H
4
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
C/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballRHP/OF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ SoftballC/Util
/ SoftballOF
/ SoftballBucknell Men's Basketball Post Game: December 6 vs. UMBC
Saturday, December 06
In The Herd: Bison Opener Preview And Madison Fowler and Jeffrey Cianfrocca Features
Friday, December 05
Bucknell Women's Basketball Post Game: December 1st vs. Albany
Tuesday, December 02
Bucknell Women's Basketball Post Game: November 25 vs. Le Moyne
Tuesday, November 25