Tournament Time: Softball Enters as the Third Seed; Faces Lehigh on Thursday

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (18-25, 9-9 Patriot League) enters the Patriot League Tournament on a three-game winning streak after defeating the Holy Cross Crusaders to clinch back-to-back tournament bids for the first time since the 2018-2019 campaigns. Bucknell slots as the three seed after serving as the fourth seed in 2023. The Bison went 0-2 at last year's Patriot League Tournament but now have postseason experience under their belts and are eager to make some noise.

The Starting Lineup
What: Patriot League Tournament
Where: BU Softball Field (Boston, Mass.)
When: May 9-11

ESPN+ | Live Stats | Tournament Central

2024 Patriot League Softball Championship Schedule
Thursday, May 9 | Boston College
Game 1 - No. 1 Boston University vs. No. 4 Army, 10 a.m.
Game 2 - No. 2 Lehigh vs. No. 3 Bucknell, 12:30 p.m.
Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 30 minutes after Game 2

Friday, May 10 | BU Softball Field
Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 1:30 p.m.
Game 5 – Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 11 | BU Softball Field
Game 6 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, Noon
Game 7 – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.

Caffrey's Call

"We're excited to head to the Patriot League Tournament at Boston. Our goal all year was to get back there, so entering as the three seed is a great opportunity for us. We're ready to compete and have had a great week of preparation.

On a sentimental note, I'm thrilled for our four seniors who get to continue to compete. They are the pioneers of our culture and I'm grateful for everything they have given. Every game we play now is to keep playing as Team 46 and I love that."

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell swept Holy Cross to clinch its tournament entry. Bucknell handled the Crusaders 5-2, 9-2, and 3-1 to improve to 9-9 in the conference and earn back-to-back bids for the first time since 2018-19.
The Bison received the three seed thanks to Army defeating Colgate in two out of three games. If Colgate had won the series, they would have been the three seed. Instead, Army grabbed the last bid and knocked Colgate out.
Madison Roukey tallied two wins against the Crusaders to hit ten on the season. Roukey became the first Bison hurler to win double-digit games since Raeanne Geffert tallied 16 in 2019.
Zoie Smith had a senior weekend to remember, batting 9-for-10 with four RBIs. She hit two doubles to hit 40 for her career. She now ranks tied for fifth with Lauren Wible in Bucknell history.
Annabella Hawkins hit her first career home run in the 3-1 win over Holy Cross.
Bucknell Athletics held its annual senior awards banquet 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.
Coach Sarah Caffrey recently hit 53 career victories, moving her into sole possession of sixth in Bucknell history.

Overview of the Opposition

Army- The Black Knights are 14-37 and 9-9 in Patriot League play and beat Colgate in two out of three games to clinch the final bid. The Black Knights were projected to finish third in the league, just above Bucknell's fourth-place slot. The outcome nearly played out as both teams finished 9-9 in conference but Bucknell won the tiebreaker. Patriot League preseason pick Kayla Edwards leads Army with a .376 batting average. Army uses a five-woman pitching staff.
Boston- The Terriers are 49-4-1 and 18-0 in Patriot League play. Which is the third time a Patriot League team has gone unblemished in conference play. They has been taken to extra innings by every team in the tournament. Boston bats .330 as a team on the season, with three players hovering above .400. The Terriers boast power with 126 extra-base hits in 54 games. Lauren Keleher leads the squad with 17 doubles, and eight home runs. Boston's pitching has been lights out, compiling a 1.31 ERA. Kasey Ricard ranks as the staff ace with an 24-3 record.
Lehigh- The Mountain Hawks are 30-18 and 14-4 in conference play. They enter the tournament after being swept by Boston. Lehigh played seven P5 games, going 1-6 against the foes. They defeated Iowa State for the solo win. Lehigh was picked to finish second in the circuit and lived up to the prediction. Despite losing several players to graduation, the Lehigh offense has remained potent, batting .303 with five players above .300. Peyton Sward leads the way with a .381 average. The pitching staff has an overall 3.42 ERA but has turned in a 1.37 conference mark.

History with the Foes

Army- Bucknell trails the all-time series 46-74. The rivalry started back in 1991. This season, Bucknell defeated Army twice in the three game series. In 2023, Army ended the Bison's season in the Patriot League Tournament.
Boston- Bucknell trails the all-time series 7-26. The series started in 2014 when Boston gained admittance to the Patriot League. The Terriers swept the 2024 series held in Boston but the Bison lost a pair of 1-0 games in 12 innings and regulation.
Lehigh- Bucknell lags behind 47-106 in the all-time series. The instate rivalry started in 1979, during the Bison's first season, and has been played every season except the COVID-19 halted campaign of 2020. Lehigh swept the 2024 three-game series.

Up Next

If the Bison win the tournament, the team awaits its regional bid. If the squad loses, Bucknell will return in the 2025 season.