Softball Finishes Spring Break Expedition with Doubleheaders at Gardner-Webb & Furman

Tuesday, March 10

Boiling Springs, N.C.

1 p.m.

Bucknell University

Gardner-Webb

Photo by: Aiden Pelphrey

Softball Finishes Spring Break Expedition with Doubleheaders at Gardner-Webb & Furman

3/9/2026 5:10:00 PM | Softball

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell Softball (1-17) completes its annual spring break jaunt through the South this week with a pair of doubleheaders at Gardner-Webb and Furman. Bucknell seeks to shatter its 13-game losing streak and pick up some momentum before heading into conference play against the Carolinian foes. The Bison face Gardner-Webb on Tuesday and Furman on Wednesday. All four games will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Inside "Herd" on the Bison

Bucknell went 0-4 at last weekend's Winthrop Invitational. The Bison suffered several emotionally brutal losses. The team fell 3-2 (8) to Georgia State and yielded ten runs in the second inning in the 11-1 (5) loss to East Tennessee State on Saturday. On Sunday, the Bison led 5-1versus ETSU before allowing the Buccaneers to avoid walking the plank with a late rally in the 7-5 game. Winthrop broke through for a 9-6 victory.
Barbara Jo Coppola headlined Bucknell's hitting efforts, batting 7-of-11 (.636) with one double and four RBIs.
Her hot bat earned the freshman Patriot League Rookie of the Week - the first time for a Bison newcomer since Brooke Popella won two in 2024.
Coppola ranks second on the teams in hits (15), RBIs (6), and OBP (.400).
Popella increased her career hit total to 94 - six away from 100. Bucknell's last batter to reach 100 hits was senior slapper Haley Speicher, who passed the milestone in 2025.
Popella ranks 13th nationally in doubles per game (.47).
Skye Perez cranked her first career home run in the loss to Winthrop. She joined Meadow Gambacurta and Sarah Zimmerman in that department.

Overview of the Opposition

Gardner-Webb- The Runnin' Bulldogs are 18-8 and a 11-5 at home, their southern positioning allowing the squad to host three tournaments and midweek contests. GW is 3-1 against Patriot League schools, splitting games with Lehigh and taking two from Lafayette. They have not faced a Power Four opponent yet. Their turnaround has the team nearly their win total (23) in 2025. The Bulldogs hit for average with six starters batting above .360 - the team's average sits at a sizzling .363. Their pitching staff hasn't been as hot - owning a 5.26 ERA. They rotate three main hurlers.
Furman- The Paladins' 3-20 record says the program is experiencing a never-ending Roncesvalles Pass this season. Hosting two classics has helped with Furman picking up two of its three wins at Pepsi Field. The Paladins have been run-ruled 11 times, including, at one junction, eight consecutive games. Their batting has been respectable with a .263 team average and 14 home runs. Thematically, they are speedy with 18 stolen bases in 20 attempts. Pitching has been the weak spot in their armor with a staff ERA of 9.54.

History with the Foes

Gardner-Webb- Bucknell owns the 3-1 series lead. The team met twice in 2008 and 2017 and 2026 continues that nine year interval.
Furman- The Bison and Paladins have never clashed upon the field of battle.

Up Next

Bucknell heads to Cornell on March 18 for a doubleheader.