Softball Travels to the UNCG Invitational

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell Softball (1-4) resumes the 2026 season this weekend with five games at the UNCG Invitational. The Bison rested last weekend after starting the campaign 1-4 at the East Texas A&M Leadoff. The Orange & Blue picked up its first win under new head coach Angela Stackhouse by defeating St. Bonaventure 7-3. Bucknell will play the customary tournament schedule of two games on Friday, an additional two on Saturday, and a Sunday matinee. None of the games will be streamed.

The Starting Lineup
What: UNCG Invitational
Where: UNCG Softball Stadium (Greensboro, N.C.)
When: February 20-22
Tournament Central: uncgspartans.com

Bucknell Schedule (All Times EST)

Friday, February 20
10 a.m. | vs. Kent State | Live Stats
3 p.m. | at UNCG | Live Stats

Saturday, February 21
10 a.m | vs. Kent State | Live Stats
12:30 p.m. | vs. Canisius | Live Stats

Sunday, February 22
10 a.m. | vs. Canisius | Live Stats

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell began the 2026 campaign with a 1-4 record. The Bison dropped the opening game to Texas Southern 7-6 after yielding three runs in the final frame. East Texas A&M defeated the Orange & Blue 11-9 in a high-scoring affair. Stephen F. Austin handcuffed the batters in a five-inning 8-0 win and South Dakota State rallied from an early deficit for a 7-3 victory. Bucknell rebounded against St. Bonaventure for a 7-3 win.
Avery Powers handled the bulk of the pitching and delivered a solid performance for five innings against Texas Southern. She hurled a complete game versus St. Bonaventure, throwing 13 strikeouts - the most for a Bison pitcher since Raeanne Geffert threw 16 in 2020 against Mount St. Mary's.
The Bison hit .324 as a team at the East Texas A&M Leadoff. Skye Perez enjoyed her Texas homecoming, batting a squad-best .462. Meadow Gambacurta made a smashing debut, slashing .429/..529/500 with two RBIs. Marissa Rapino also hit .429. Molly Lawson batted .333 and hit four doubles.
All six Bison freshmen made their collegiate debuts at the Leadoff, fulfilling Stackhouse's prediction of early and heavy usage.
Powers received Patriot League honorable mention for her 20 strikeout weekend.

Overview of the Opposition

Kent State- The Golden Flashes are 5-4 under third year head coach Jessica O'Donnell, Bucknell's old foe from her time at rival Saint Francis. Kent State boasts a powerful offense with seven home runs and a .332 average. Caleigh Shaulis has clubbed four home runs. Riley Miller is their main pitcher, collecting a 4-1 record, despite a 6.09 ERA.
UNCG- The host Spartans are spending their second straight weekend in Sparta. UNCG enjoys homefield advantage, going 4-1 in friendly confines after opening the weekend 1-4 at a Georgia Southern tournament. The Spartans went 39-18 last year and 23-7 at home. Kaylyn Belfield is their main average hitter, batting a robust .447. Layne Deane, Macy Michael, and Nya South provide power with three home runs each. UNCG's pitching staff has a tiny 2.03 ERA.
Canisius- The Golden Griffins are 3-1 after opening the season last weekend at Chattanooga. Canisius batted .260 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. Olivia Manchester has been the staff ace with a 1.27 ERA and a 2-0 record.

History with the Foes

Kent State- Bucknell is 0-1 all-time versus the Golden Flashes. The sole matchup occurred in 2012.
UNCG- The Bison are 0-3 versus the Spartans. The last meeting happened in 2022.
Canisius- Bucknell is 3-4 in the series, which dates back to 1987. The Orange & Blue won the last matchup in the 2015 season opener.

Up Next

Bucknell heads to Virginia's Party at Palmer Invitational next weekend.

Bucknell University Athletics

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Meadow Gambacurta

Molly Lawson

Skye Perez

Avery Powers

Marissa Rapino

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