Softball Edged in Two Rainy Games by ETSU & Winthrop

Sunday, March 8

Rock Hill, S.C.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

1-16

East Tennessee State

11-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
ETSU	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	7	11	2
Bucknell	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	5	11	1

Photo by: Elayna Felder

Softball Edged in Two Rainy Games by ETSU & Winthrop

3/8/2026 6:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

ROCK HILL, S.C.- The rain fell and so did Bucknell (1-17) in two games on Sunday afternoon in the conclusion of the Winthrop Invitational. The Bison lost 7-5 to East Tennessee State (11-5) and 9-6 to Winthrop (14-11). Bucknell owned leads in both games but saw the Southern schools fight back using the late innings as the foundation for their victories.

Barbara Jo Coppola enjoyed a 4-of-8 day with four RBIs.

ETSU Recap

Bucknell led 5-1 entering the seventh inning before the Buccaneers scored six runs to add another devastating defeat to the Bison's 2026 ledger.

Avery Powers received the start and threw five scoreless innings before ETSU timed her pitches in the final two frames.

The opening innings were dull before actions picked up in third at-bats. Bucknell executed another relay to nail a Buccaneer at home plate and keep the shutout intact.

The Bison broke through for a run in their third frame. Haley Speicher reached on an error and Barbara Jo Coppola, who enjoyed a three-hit game, sprayed a single through the left side. Skye Perez singled home Speicher and Bucknell led 1-0.

ETSU tied the game in the sixth inning. After a grounder, ETSU hit two singles. Powers worked a strikeout before Leinani Lutz slammed an RBI single to left field, tying the game.

Bucknell responded with four runs. Brooke Popella, a double machine in 2026, led off the inning with another one. Meadow Gambacurta doubled home Popella home. Reagan Powell pinch ran for Gambacurta for extra speed. Molly Lawson singled and the Bison had runners at the corners. ETSU exchanged pitchers but the strategy did not slow down the suddenly hot Orange & Blue bats. Shea Malone singled and Powell scored. Marissa Rapino flew out and Speicher grounded out. Coppola, a rookie, delivered like a veteran, with a two-run single and Bucknell's 5-1 lead looked big.

That feeling quickly dissipated. A leadoff walk, Bucknell's bugaboo all season, set the table. Taylor Suchy singled, a fielder's choice followed, and another walk loaded the bases. Whitney Boone singled home two Bucs and ETSU trailed 5-3. Payton Moore strolled to the plate and slammed a three-run homer and suddenly the Buccaneers sailed ahead 6-5. An error by Perez and a wild pitch placed Hailey Porter on second. Payton Hale entered the circle, seeking to douse the raging fire. Cameron Lauretta's double scored Porter for an extra insurance run. Hale recovered and induced the final two outs.

Gambacurta singled but a foul out and two pop-ups ended the game at 7-5 ETSU.

Winthrop Recap

Sarah Zimmerman started in the circle and went the distance against a potent Winthrop lineup. Skye Perez hit her first career home run.

Both teams scored in the opening stanza. Speicher singled and Zimmerman sacrificed her to second. Coppola reached on an error and Speicher scored. Winthrop answered with a single and double combo.

Bucknell seized the lead in the third inning. Once again, Speicher launched operations. The slapper singled and stole second. Zimmerman singled, advancing Speicher to third, and then swiped second. Coppola hit an RBI grounder, scoring Speicher. Lawson reached on an error and Zimmerman darted home.

The lead, unlike the rain, did not last. The Eagles launched a barrage of hits. Two consecutive singles set the stage for a two-run double. Darrah Nickles' single scored the third run and Winthrop led 4-3.

The Bison, if they have one particular characteristic, exhibit extreme tenacious desire, and immediately counterattacked with two runs. Reagan Powell, receiving a starting assignment, launched a home run, tying the game. Zimmerman and Coppola slammed back-to-back doubles for the 5-4 Bucknell advantage.

The Orange & Blue padded its lead in the fifth inning with a Skye Perez home run. The sophomore sent her first career home run into orbit and the team eagerly celebrated with the Texan at home plate.

Winthrop, displaying the talent that allowed the Eagles to stay pace with ranked Virginia Tech and South Carolina, tied the game in its fifth at-bats. Nickens led off with a home run. Tia Beckham doubled and moved to third on Grayson Buckner's single. Zimmerman uncorked a wild pitch and Beckham dashed home. The Bison pitcher recovered and induced three straight outs.

Like against ETSU, the sixth inning proved fateful. The Bison went down in order but the Eagles flew ahead with two-out magic and Bison assistance, as both home run hitters committed costly errors. Zimmerman commenced the inning with two straight outs and appeared to shut down the foe in order when Perez, filling in at shortstop, booted a ball. Winthrop, invigorated by new life, struck hard. Nickens walked on a full count situation. Beckham slugged an RBI double and the lead was Winthrop's. Buckner hit an infield single and Powell's throw zoomed past Gambacurta's glove at first. Two Eagles scored deflating insurance runs.

Gambacurta worked a leadoff walk but a fielder's choice, a pop-up, and a grounder ended the game, sending Bucknell to its 13th straight loss.

Up Next

Bucknell continues its tour of the Carolinas with a Tuesday doubleheader at Gardner-Webb.