Bucknell University Athletics
Brooke Popella Wins Patriot League Rookie of the Week
3/5/2024 1:36:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Brooke Popella played a significant role in the Bucknell softball team's 2-1 weekend at the Blue Hen Invitational. The league office took notice and awarded the freshman shortstop the Patriot League Rookie of the Week. It is Bucknell's first weekly award of 2024.Â
Popella has been a steady force at shortstop, anchoring the left side of the infield. In the three-game series, she batted .333 with two RBIs. Both of her RBIs came in the 7-1 victory over Maine. Popella walked in a run in the decisive four-run first inning and later hit an RBI single in the fourth inning. The rookie also walked twice during the weekend.Â
The young shortstop has displayed patience at the plate, collecting a .391 on-base percentage (second on the team) to pair with her .270 batting average (third on the squad). Popella has ten hits, including three doubles. She has developed a knack for hitting base-clearing doubles. Her nine RBIs lead the Bison and rank eighth in the Patriot League. Her eight walks tie for the team and league lead with teammate MaKenzie Hilling.Â
The Bison have had one player receive Rookie of the Week for every season, except the COVID-shortened season of 2020, since 2012. Bucknell has four players on the rosters who won Rookie of the Week laurels: Zoie Smith (twice in 2021), Elena Horn (2022), Haley Speicher (2023), and now Popella.Â
Popella and the Bison head to Florida on Thursday for the annual spring break expedition. The Orange & Blue crew will start with a five-game set at The Spring Games in Madeira Beach before playing doubleheaders against Jacksonville and North Florida.Â
Popella has been a steady force at shortstop, anchoring the left side of the infield. In the three-game series, she batted .333 with two RBIs. Both of her RBIs came in the 7-1 victory over Maine. Popella walked in a run in the decisive four-run first inning and later hit an RBI single in the fourth inning. The rookie also walked twice during the weekend.Â
The young shortstop has displayed patience at the plate, collecting a .391 on-base percentage (second on the team) to pair with her .270 batting average (third on the squad). Popella has ten hits, including three doubles. She has developed a knack for hitting base-clearing doubles. Her nine RBIs lead the Bison and rank eighth in the Patriot League. Her eight walks tie for the team and league lead with teammate MaKenzie Hilling.Â
The Bison have had one player receive Rookie of the Week for every season, except the COVID-shortened season of 2020, since 2012. Bucknell has four players on the rosters who won Rookie of the Week laurels: Zoie Smith (twice in 2021), Elena Horn (2022), Haley Speicher (2023), and now Popella.Â
Popella and the Bison head to Florida on Thursday for the annual spring break expedition. The Orange & Blue crew will start with a five-game set at The Spring Games in Madeira Beach before playing doubleheaders against Jacksonville and North Florida.Â
Players Mentioned
C/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
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C/Util
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OF
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