Bucknell University Athletics
Thursday, March 26
Lewisburg, Pa.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
5-23
25
vs
2
Saint Francis
1-27
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
St. Francis (Pa.)
0
2
0
0
0
2
5
2
Bucknell
4
0
16
5
X
25
22
0
Photo by: Brett Newcomb
Softball Sets Program RBI Record in 25-2 Rout of SFU; Ties Red Flash in 12-12 Barnburner in Game Two
3/26/2026 8:26:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- If Thursday's doubleheader was the last meeting between Bucknell (5-23-1) and Saint Francis (1-27-1) with the latter's coming departure to Division III, the two programs staged two unforgettable contests. The Bison romped 25-2 in five innings in game one while setting the program record for RBIs (23). The second game appeared to be more of the same with Bucknell leading 10-0 before the Red Flash rallied to tie the contest. The teams played one extra inning before darkness forced a halt at 12-12 after eight innings. The 25 runs were the third-most in team history and the most since 1981. The 37 runs tied the program record for runs in a doubleheader set in 2008 against Coppin State.
Bucknell jumped all over Saint Francis' pitching in game one, including scoring 16 runs in the third inning. The Bison collected 23 RBIs, breaking the program record of 20 set against Mansfield in 1981. Interestingly, Bucknell head coach Angie Stackhouse coached as an assistant for Mansfield. The win was the 800th in Bucknell history. Bucknell's 22 hits were most by a Patriot League team in a game since 2014.
The Orange & Blue cruised to a 10-0 lead in the second game and were one strike away from a run-rule win when SFU's Morgan Pasternak, down to the Red Flash's last strike, deposited a grand slam over the center field wall. SFU rallied for seven runs in the top of the seven inning. Bucknell countered to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Both teams scored a run in the extra inning before darkness halted the wild contest for Bucknell's first tie since 2021 - a 0-0 game versus Colgate.
Barbara Jo Coppola lit up the Red Flash pitching, batting 6-for-9 with a double, a triple, and seven RBIs. She nearly had the game-winning hit in the second game before a web gem nabbed the sphere.
Game One Recap
Bucknell enjoyed its most prodigious offensive output since a 20-0 destruction of Coppin State in 2008. Sarah Zimmerman pitched the first three innings for her second win of 2026 and Mea Consentino polished off the final two frames.
The offensive explosion started in the opening inning with two outs. Coppola walked and Brooke Popella singled and both runners advanced a base on the throw. Meadow Gambacurta singled both runners home. Shea Malone singled as well and both runners advanced on an obstruction call. Molly Lawson lashed a single, scoring Malone and Gambacurta for the 4-0 lead.
SFU scored two runs in the second inning. A leadoff walk again proved costly for the Bison. Pasternak doubled and Haley Brag singled in both Red Flash runners.
The Bison enjoyed one of its best innings in program history when 16 Bison crossed the plate in the third frame. Popella reached on an error and moved to second on a passed ball. Gambacurta doubled her home. Malone walked. Lawson grounded out to third. Angelina Seropian singled home Gambacurta. Reagan Powell worked a walk. Zimmerman assisted her cause with a two-run double. That chased starter Olivia Kolowitz and Katherine Hrinda entered the circle.
The change did not halt Bucknell's stampede. Haley Speicher walked and Coppola singled to load the bases. Popella and Gambacurta drew back-to-back free passes to extend the lead to 9-2. Malone singled home two runners and a second baseman's error allowed Lawson to reach and another Bison to score. A wild pitch uncorked another run, as did Seropian's second RBI single of the inning.
That was all for Hrinda, who was replaced by Jeslyn Burghardt. The new pitcher lasted two batters. She walked both Powell and Zimmerman. Zoe Kesterson entered the circle. Rosanna Merturi received the pinch hitter opportunity and delivered her first collegiate RBI on an infield single. Coppola cleared the bases with a beautiful triple. Natalie Monroe pinch hit for Popella and drove in the inning's final run with a sharp single.
Bucknell added five insurance runs in the fourth inning. Marissa Rapino led off with a single and Nicole Lioumis nailed a triple to drive home her fellow senior. Tori Kirkpatrick pinch hit for Seropian, and like her fellow catcher, supplied an RBI single. Hailey McCutchan and Zimmerman singled to load the bases. Merturi knocked in an RBI via a fielder's choice. Coppola and Gambacurta both hit RBI singles for the 25-2 lead.
Consentino finished off the Red Flash to seal the historic win.
Game Two Recap
Zimmerman started game two but lasted one batter before leaving due to injury. Consention entered in relief and pitched the remainder of the game.
Bucknell's offense picked up where it left off in the first inning. Speicher reached on a throwing error and advanced to second. Coppola hit an infield single and stole second. Popella delivered a sacrifice fly for the game's first run. Gambacurta walked. Malone doubled, scoring Coppola. Taft found a gap for a two-run triple and Bucknell led 4-0.
The Bison added a run in the second inning on a Zimmerman single and Coppola double combo.
The Orange & Blue seemingly had the game well in hand with a five-run fourth inning to bring the run-rule into play. Merturi singled to third and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rapino advanced both runners on a grounder. Speicher reached on an error which also scored Merturi. The speedy slapper then moved to second on a witch pitch. Coppola singled through the right side and both Bison darted home. Popella, one of the nation's best two-bagger hitters, slammed a double into the gap. Gambacurta singled and Popella scored on the throwing error. The Bison reloaded the bases but Limouis grounded out and the missed opportunity for more runs would haunt Bucknell.
The Red Flash refused to die. Sophia Rabatin doubled to start the inning. A pop-up followed. A bunt single placed runners at the corners. A walk loaded the bases. Consentino temporarily recovered by inducing a swinging strikeout. With the team down to its last strike, Pasternak cracked a grand slam and SFU extended the game.
Bucknell loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning but Malone's grounder ended the threat.
SFU launched a rally for the ages in the seventh inning. Aliya Garroway singled and a pitch hit Olivia Holtzman. Pasternak flew out. Brag singled to load the bases. Kolowitz singled in a run and then Abby Evans singled home two Red Flash. Annabelle Farmer lined out to Malone, who made a spectacular grab in the deepening gloom. Grace Dias doubled home a run and Garroway's two-run double tied the game. The inning ended when Garroway left early.
The Bison emotionally rallied to force extra innings. Coppola led off with a walk and Popella found another gap for an RBI double.
The international tiebreaker rules kicked in with the previous batter stationed at second.
Garroway was placed on second. A bunt attempt was popped up to Lioumis at third. Pasternak again became the hero with an RBI double. Consentino obtained two outs to limit the damage.
Malone was placed on second. Taft struck out but Merturi picked up her teammate with a clutch RBI single. Lioumis grounded but Rapino and Speicher walked to load the bases. Coppola walked to the plate in the twilight and smashed a hot grounder up the middle. The ball appeared to head for the outfield but the SFU shortstop somehow found the sphere in the darkness, nabbed it, and tossed it to second for the force out.
The umpires held a conference and called the game on account of darkness.
Up Next
Bucknell will head to Boston on Easter weekend for a three-game series.
Bucknell jumped all over Saint Francis' pitching in game one, including scoring 16 runs in the third inning. The Bison collected 23 RBIs, breaking the program record of 20 set against Mansfield in 1981. Interestingly, Bucknell head coach Angie Stackhouse coached as an assistant for Mansfield. The win was the 800th in Bucknell history. Bucknell's 22 hits were most by a Patriot League team in a game since 2014.
The Orange & Blue cruised to a 10-0 lead in the second game and were one strike away from a run-rule win when SFU's Morgan Pasternak, down to the Red Flash's last strike, deposited a grand slam over the center field wall. SFU rallied for seven runs in the top of the seven inning. Bucknell countered to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Both teams scored a run in the extra inning before darkness halted the wild contest for Bucknell's first tie since 2021 - a 0-0 game versus Colgate.
Barbara Jo Coppola lit up the Red Flash pitching, batting 6-for-9 with a double, a triple, and seven RBIs. She nearly had the game-winning hit in the second game before a web gem nabbed the sphere.
Game One Recap
Bucknell enjoyed its most prodigious offensive output since a 20-0 destruction of Coppin State in 2008. Sarah Zimmerman pitched the first three innings for her second win of 2026 and Mea Consentino polished off the final two frames.
The offensive explosion started in the opening inning with two outs. Coppola walked and Brooke Popella singled and both runners advanced a base on the throw. Meadow Gambacurta singled both runners home. Shea Malone singled as well and both runners advanced on an obstruction call. Molly Lawson lashed a single, scoring Malone and Gambacurta for the 4-0 lead.
SFU scored two runs in the second inning. A leadoff walk again proved costly for the Bison. Pasternak doubled and Haley Brag singled in both Red Flash runners.
The Bison enjoyed one of its best innings in program history when 16 Bison crossed the plate in the third frame. Popella reached on an error and moved to second on a passed ball. Gambacurta doubled her home. Malone walked. Lawson grounded out to third. Angelina Seropian singled home Gambacurta. Reagan Powell worked a walk. Zimmerman assisted her cause with a two-run double. That chased starter Olivia Kolowitz and Katherine Hrinda entered the circle.
The change did not halt Bucknell's stampede. Haley Speicher walked and Coppola singled to load the bases. Popella and Gambacurta drew back-to-back free passes to extend the lead to 9-2. Malone singled home two runners and a second baseman's error allowed Lawson to reach and another Bison to score. A wild pitch uncorked another run, as did Seropian's second RBI single of the inning.
That was all for Hrinda, who was replaced by Jeslyn Burghardt. The new pitcher lasted two batters. She walked both Powell and Zimmerman. Zoe Kesterson entered the circle. Rosanna Merturi received the pinch hitter opportunity and delivered her first collegiate RBI on an infield single. Coppola cleared the bases with a beautiful triple. Natalie Monroe pinch hit for Popella and drove in the inning's final run with a sharp single.
Bucknell added five insurance runs in the fourth inning. Marissa Rapino led off with a single and Nicole Lioumis nailed a triple to drive home her fellow senior. Tori Kirkpatrick pinch hit for Seropian, and like her fellow catcher, supplied an RBI single. Hailey McCutchan and Zimmerman singled to load the bases. Merturi knocked in an RBI via a fielder's choice. Coppola and Gambacurta both hit RBI singles for the 25-2 lead.
Consentino finished off the Red Flash to seal the historic win.
Game Two Recap
Zimmerman started game two but lasted one batter before leaving due to injury. Consention entered in relief and pitched the remainder of the game.
Bucknell's offense picked up where it left off in the first inning. Speicher reached on a throwing error and advanced to second. Coppola hit an infield single and stole second. Popella delivered a sacrifice fly for the game's first run. Gambacurta walked. Malone doubled, scoring Coppola. Taft found a gap for a two-run triple and Bucknell led 4-0.
The Bison added a run in the second inning on a Zimmerman single and Coppola double combo.
The Orange & Blue seemingly had the game well in hand with a five-run fourth inning to bring the run-rule into play. Merturi singled to third and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Rapino advanced both runners on a grounder. Speicher reached on an error which also scored Merturi. The speedy slapper then moved to second on a witch pitch. Coppola singled through the right side and both Bison darted home. Popella, one of the nation's best two-bagger hitters, slammed a double into the gap. Gambacurta singled and Popella scored on the throwing error. The Bison reloaded the bases but Limouis grounded out and the missed opportunity for more runs would haunt Bucknell.
The Red Flash refused to die. Sophia Rabatin doubled to start the inning. A pop-up followed. A bunt single placed runners at the corners. A walk loaded the bases. Consentino temporarily recovered by inducing a swinging strikeout. With the team down to its last strike, Pasternak cracked a grand slam and SFU extended the game.
Bucknell loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning but Malone's grounder ended the threat.
SFU launched a rally for the ages in the seventh inning. Aliya Garroway singled and a pitch hit Olivia Holtzman. Pasternak flew out. Brag singled to load the bases. Kolowitz singled in a run and then Abby Evans singled home two Red Flash. Annabelle Farmer lined out to Malone, who made a spectacular grab in the deepening gloom. Grace Dias doubled home a run and Garroway's two-run double tied the game. The inning ended when Garroway left early.
The Bison emotionally rallied to force extra innings. Coppola led off with a walk and Popella found another gap for an RBI double.
The international tiebreaker rules kicked in with the previous batter stationed at second.
Garroway was placed on second. A bunt attempt was popped up to Lioumis at third. Pasternak again became the hero with an RBI double. Consentino obtained two outs to limit the damage.
Malone was placed on second. Taft struck out but Merturi picked up her teammate with a clutch RBI single. Lioumis grounded but Rapino and Speicher walked to load the bases. Coppola walked to the plate in the twilight and smashed a hot grounder up the middle. The ball appeared to head for the outfield but the SFU shortstop somehow found the sphere in the darkness, nabbed it, and tossed it to second for the force out.
The umpires held a conference and called the game on account of darkness.
Up Next
Bucknell will head to Boston on Easter weekend for a three-game series.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Zimmerman, Sarah (2-10)
L: Olivia Kolowitz (0-9)
Batting:
2B: Aliya Garroway 1 ; Morgan Pasternak 1
RBI: Haley Brag 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Olivia Hood 1 ; Morgan Pasternak 1
HBP: Aliya Garroway 1 ; Abby Evans 1
Batting:
2B: Zimmerman, Sarah 1 ; Gambacurta, Meadow 1
3B: Coppola, Barbara Jo 1 ; Lioumis, Nicole 1
RBI: Zimmerman, Sarah 2 ; Merturi, Rosanna 2 ; Coppola, Barbara Jo 4 ; Popella, Brooke 1 ; Monroe, Natalie 1 ; Gambacurta, Meadow 5 ; Malone, Shea 2 ; Lioumis, Nicole 1 ; Seropian, Angelina 2 ; Kirkpatrick, Tori 1 ; Lawson, Molly 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Zimmerman, Sarah 2 ; Speicher, Haley 1 ; Merturi, Rosanna 1 ; Coppola, Barbara Jo 4 ; Popella, Brooke 3 ; Gambacurta, Meadow 2 ; Malone, Shea 3 ; Rapino, Marissa 1 ; Taft, Addison "Sonny" 1 ; Lioumis, Nicole 1 ; Seropian, Angelina 2 ; Kirkpatrick, Tori 1 ; Powell, Reagan 2 ; McCutchan, Hailey 1
CS: Speicher, Haley 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
4
H
3
RBI
4
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
5
AB
3
R
2
H
3
RBI
2
p/cf
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ SoftballC
/ Softball1B/3B
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
OF/U
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
SS/U
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C/IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
LHP/OF
/ SoftballSaint Francis at Bucknell Softball Doubleheader Highlights 3-26-2026
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