Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Softball Hosts Holy Cross with Patriot League Tournament Fate at Stake; Senior Day Scheduled for Saturday
4/26/2024 10:22:00 AM | Softball
The Starting Lineup
What: Patriot League Series versus Holy Cross
Where: Becker Field (Lewisburg, Pa.)
When: April 27-28
Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)
Saturday, April 27
Noon | vs. Holy Cross | Live Stats | Live Watch
2 p.m | vs. Holy Cross | Live Stats | Live Watch
Sunday, April 28
Noon | vs. Holy Cross | Live Stats
Caffrey's Call
"This weekend is a big weekend for us. We feel that we are playing good ball right now and we have worked all season for the opportunity to return to the Patriot League Tournament. The focus is on us and what we can control. I know this weekend will be exciting and I can't wait to watch this team compete together.Â
This weekend is even more meaningful because we get to spend it celebrating the careers of our four seniors, Noelle Gardon, Annabella Hawkins, Zoie Smith, and Hunter Vestal. We hope to see everyone out at Becker Field and can't wait to take the field for one last time in the 2024 season at home."
Playoff Situation
The top four seeds qualify for the tournament. Boston and Lehigh are tied for first at 12-0 and have clinched spots. Army resides third at 6-6 and Colgate slots fourth at 7-8. Bucknell currently sits fifth in the Patriot League with a 6-9 record. Holy Cross and Lafayette at 1-11 are tied for last and virtually eliminated from the tournament. Bucknell has the head-to-head tiebreaker over Army but Colgate holds that distinction over the Bison. The Orange & Blue finish conference play with the Holy Cross series. Army faces Lehigh at home this weekend and finishes at Colgate. Colgate is off this weekend before facing Army in a series likely to decide postseason fates. The ideal outcome for Bucknell rests in sweeping the Crusaders.Â
Senior Class
Bucknell will honor four accomplished and incredible seniors on Saturday: Noelle Gardon, Annabella Hawkins, Zoie Smith, and Hunter Vestal. Under this senior class, the Bison won 50 games and returned to the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since 2019. All four student-athletes will go on to even greater heights in their postgraduate careers and will be dearly missed by all Bison fans.Â
The Inside "Herd" on the Bison
- Bucknell was swept by the Boston Terriers last weekend but they gave the league-leading squad a battle. The Bison lost the first game 7-0 when the Terriers tallied all seven runs in the fifth inning. In the second game, Savannah Jones pitched 11 innings of scoreless ball before allowing a run in the 12th inning. Madison Roukey received the ball in the third game and only yielded one run but again the bats were silenced.Â
- Bella Radican batted .300 over the weekend to lead the Bison. The junior utility player has hit 7-for-19 (.368) in the last six games.Â
- The Bison pitching staff threw 23 scoreless innings against a Boston team who entered the series batting .340.Â
- Bucknell Athletics held its annual senior awards banquet on Monday and Zoie Smith received the Edward W. Pangburn Award. The honor is presented for sportsmanship, fellowship, and contribution to the University. Smith founded Bucknell's chapter of Morgan's Message, an organization dedicated to mental health.Â
- Coach Sarah Caffrey recently hit 50 career victories, tying her with Courtnay Foster for sixth in Bucknell history.Â
- Saturday will serve as Bucknell Softball Pride Game.Â
Overview of the Crusaders
- Holy Cross- The Crusaders are 11-32 and 1-11 in Patriot League play. Holy Cross defeated Colgate once for its single conference win. The Worcester team has been run-ruled four times in conference but also played three tight games with Lehigh. Holy Cross just played a doubleheader agaist Maine, winning 4-3 and falling 11-10. The Crusaders have collected 69 extra base hits in 43 games. Ali Sniegocki is the main threat, batting .336 with ten doubles and four home runs. On the pitching front, Holy Cross relies on two hurlers, Sophia Roncone and Megan Yurchick.Â
History with the Foe
- Holy Cross- Bucknell leads the all-time series 72-39. The series started in 1991 when Patriot League softball began play. The Bison have a four-game winning streak against the Crusaders. Sarah Caffrey owns a 7-3 record against Holy Cross.Â
Up Next
With the regular season complete, the Bison will spend next weekend following the Army-Colgate series to see if tournament play is in the cards.Â
