Softball Fights for Patriot League Tournament Bid in Final Series

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell softball (14-28, 5-10 Patriot League) heads into the final weekend of the season seeking its third straight Patriot League tournament entry when it battles the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-34, 1-14 Patriot League). The Bison are locked into a three-way battle with Colgate and Lafayette for the fourth and final slot. Army, Boston, and Lehigh have already clinched the top three positions.

The Starting Lineup

What: Patriot League Series at Holy Cross
Where: Freshman Field (Worcester, Mass.)
When: May 3-4

Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)

Saturday, May 3
Noon | at Holy Cross | Live Stats | ESPN+
2 p.m. | at Holy Cross | Live Stats | ESPN+

Sunday, May 4
Noon | at Holy Cross | Live Stats | ESPN+

Playoff Picture

Bucknell and Lafayette are tied for fifth place at 5-10 while Colgate sits in fourth with a 6-9 mark. However, Bucknell faces seventh-place Holy Cross while Colgate duels league-leading Army at West Point and Lafayette contends with reigning champion Boston. The Bison defeated Lafayette two of three games and swept Colgate, so Bucknell owns the head-to-head tiebreakers. Colgate clinches the fourth spot with a series sweep. Bucknell unlocks the final spot by finishing ahead or tying with both teams.

Army only needs one more win to clinch the regular season championship and home field advantage for the tournament. Boston can earn second place if it sweeps Lafayette, though the difference between second and third place is largely immaterial (except for batting last) since both teams will play the contest at Army. Lehigh's conference slate has concluded and the Mountain Hawks reside third with a 13-5 mark, after defeating Boston twice.

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell fought reigning NEC champion Saint Francis hard but dropped the doubleheader 7-6 and 3-1.
The Bison led 3-0 in the first contest before SFU rallied for five runs. The Orange & Blue responded with a two-run comeback. SFU again answered the call, regaining the advantage at 7-6. Bucknell loaded the bases in its final licks. Brooke Popella slammed a line drive to center field. Haley Speicher was sent home but a perfect throw tagged out the speedy junior.
Sarah Zimmerman went the distance in the second game and pitched well before SFU tagged her for two runs in the sixth inning. Savannah Jones, in the first inning, started the scoring with a solo home run. Saint Francis tied the game one frame later on an RBI grounder.
Jones hit her first two career home runs against Saint Francis and pitched three scoreless innings in the first game.
Jones's ERA has slid to 3.13, as the senior pitcher continues her impressive last season surge.
The Bison have hit 11 home runs on the season - hitting double-digits for the first time since 2021 when Bucknell airmailed 17 bombs.

Overview of the Opposition

Holy Cross- The Crusaders sit at 8-34 overall and 1-14 in PL play. Holy Cross has been eliminated from PL Tournament contention but can play spoiler this weekend. HC's one conference win came against league-leading Army. The Crusaders have scored 25 runs in 15 conference games. Offensive struggles have been their Achilles Heel, hitting .208 as a team, without a single .300 hitter. Ali Sniegocki swings a powerful bat, despite her .255 average, with 11 doubles and six home runs. HC's pitching staff has produced admirable numbers even without offensive cushion. Jordan Goedel's 3.63 ERA does not deserve a 2-16 record and the staff's overall ERA slots at 4.32.

History with the Foe

Holy Cross- Bucknell leads the all-time series 75-39 against the Crusaders and have won the last seven games against the Massachusetts-based foe.

Up Next

If the Bison earn entry into the PL Tournament, they head to either Army or Boston. If the venture is unsuccessful, Bucknell softball returns in 2026.