Bucknell University
Norfolk State University
Softball Falls to Norfolk State and Georgetown
2/18/2023 7:56:00 PM | Softball
NORFOLK, Va.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (1-5) dropped a pair of games today at the NSU-Hampton Classic. Bucknell lost in six innings to host Norfolk State, 9-1, and fell 9-5 to Georgetown.
The Bison could never get started against the Norfolk State Spartans. The host team jumped to a 6-0 lead in the first inning and coasted home. The highlight of the game for the Bison was Kailyn Lorberter hitting her first career home run.
In the second game, Bucknell scored on a Savannah Jones RBI single. Georgetown countered with innings of five runs and four innings. Bucknell struck back with a four-run fourth inning, with Bella Radican's two-run RBI single being the headliner. But neither team could score over the final three innings.
Game One: Norfolk State 9, Bucknell 1
The Bison started the top of the first inning with MaKenzie Hilling and Zoie Smith reaching on a walk and error, but two strikeouts ended the threat.
Norfolk State capitalized on their opportunities in the Spartans' half. Madison Roukey started in the circle for Bucknell. The leadoff hitter reached on a fielding error and advanced on a passed ball. A second error scored the leadoff hitter. A following double made it 2-0 Spartans. Some relief came via a strikeout, but the next batter doubled. A walk and a single set up an RBI grounder. Another single scored two RBIs and increased the score to 6-0. Kaiya Burton entered the game and induced the final out.
The second inning saw no serious threats by either team.
Bucknell, in the top of the third inning, had Noelle Gardon reach on a fielding error, and Elena Horn singled through the left side. But the next three batters made outs.
Norfolk State went down in order.
The Bison entered the scoring arena when Kailyn Lorberter led off with her first collegiate home run, a mighty blast to left center. Juliette Basso followed with a walk. Two fielder's choices occurred, and then Gardon singled, but Horn ended the inning with a foul-out to the left fielder.
Burton continued to dominate the Spartans by obtaining another scoreless inning.
Zoie Smith doubled and advanced to third via a passed ball in the top of the fifth inning. However, she was left stranded on the hot corner.
The Spartans broke through for two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, the Spartans obtained a single and a two-run bomb for the 8-1 lead.
Bucknell went down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth frame.
Norfolk State ended the game in the sixth inning using a double and a single to score the winning run to invoke the run rule and win 9-1.
Game Two: Georgetown 9, Bucknell 5
Olivia Marinelli started in the circle for Bucknell. The Hoyas threatened in the first inning with a walk and then a double, but a replay from Horn to Gardon to Angelica Seropian eliminated the runner at home. Another walk followed, but Marinell induced a strikeout to end the inning.
Bucknell used the momentum to strike early. Horn singled, Hilling sacrificed her to second, and Savannah Jones singled home Horn for the 1-0 lead in the first inning.
A Hoya reached base to start the inning, but a double play eliminated the runner. A walk and stolen base mattered naught as a grounder ended the frame.
Seropian led off the second with a walk, but three straight out stranded her.
Georgetown flipped the switch in the top of the third inning, but it did not first appear like that. Marinelli grabbed two quick outs before a double and two walks caused a pitching change. Madison Roukey entered the circle in relief. However, the first batter faced hit a grand slam. The next batter ended the inning, but the Hoyas were up 4-1.
In response, Bucknell went down in order.
Georgetown padded its lead in the first frame of the fourth inning. The first three batters walked, doubled, and singled for a 5-1 lead. Hunter Vestal replaced Roukey. Vestal walked a batter and then obtained a strikeout, but the third strike went wild, allowing a runner to score. The next batter struck out as well, and the following batter went down swinging, but she reached first because the pitch went wild. Another run was scored on the play as well. A passed ball occurred, scoring yet another run. A fielding error scored the ninth run for Georgetown. A popup ended the damage at 9-1 Georgetown.
The Bison counterattacked in the bottom of the fourth inning. A Jones hit by a pitch started the frame, and Lorberter reached on an error. Seropian struck out swinging. Marissa Rapino continued her stellar rookie season with a single. Bella Radican arrived and struck for a two-run single. Gardon walked to load the bases. Horn reached on a free pass as well to score a run. Hilling hit a sacrifice fly for another run. Smith flew out to end the frame, but the Bison cut the lead to 9-5.
Georgetown went down in order in the top of the fifth inning. But Bucknell could not capitalize despite a Jones single to lead off the bottom frame.
Georgetown again was held without a run in their frame. However, Bucknell could not drive in their two baserunners.
The top of the seventh inning saw the Hoyas not score despite a single to center field.
The Bison went down fighting. Jones singled again, and Lorberter reached on an error. However, Seropian fouled out. With two outs, Basso's hit by pitch loaded the bases. But Radican's grounder was gobbled out to end the game.
Up Next
The Bison return to action tomorrow for two games against Quinnipiac and Hampton.
