Bucknell University
16-28, 8-10
Lafayette College
8-36-1, 4-14
We're In: Softball Completes Late Season Rally to Finalize PL Tournament Bid
5/7/2023 3:54:00 PM | Softball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison softball team (16-28, 8-10 PL) clinched the final spot in the Patriot League Tournament by defeating the Lafayette Leopards (8-36-1, 4-14 PL), 5-2 in the regular season finale. The Bison were in with a win or a Colgate loss. Colgate lost but the Bison took care of business and won the bid without outside assistance.
The Bison used a four-run third inning to separate themselves from the Leopards to provide the needed cushion to win the game and seal the first tournament bid since 2019. It is Coach Sarah Caffrey's first-ever bid as the Bison coach. Bucknell needed to win the final six conference games to guarantee a spot and the Orange & Blue delivered.
Recap
Madison Roukey started in the circle for the Bison and delivered two scoreless innings.
Bucknell struck first in the second inning to set the tone for the game. With one out, Chase Knapp walked, stole second, and advanced to third when the throw sailed into center field. Kailyn Lorberter continued her fabulous weekend by drilling a double into right-center field to score her fellow senior. Two groundouts followed to end the inning.
Olivia Marinelli was inserted into the circle for the third inning and the senior hurler provided five strikeouts over three innings.
The Bison struck for four runs in the third inning. Haley Speicher singled and stole second base in between two outs. Zoie Smith and Savannah Jones using batter's eyes loaded the bases. Knapp provided additional "Knapp Time" with a two-run double to deep right-center field to increase the lead to 3-0. Lorberter continued her weekend assault on Lafayette pitching with a two-run RBI single for the 5-0 advantage. Lafayette made a pitching change which induced the final out.
The Leopards countered for a run in the fourth inning. The leadoff hitter smacked a home run to deep center field. Marinelli rallied and obtained three straight outs.
Kaiya Burton entered the circle in the sixth inning and mowed down Lafayette in a one-two-three inning.
Lafayette died hard in the final frame. The Leopards struck for three singles to score a run and bring the tying run to the plate. Burton kept calm and induced the final out on the first pitch. Speicher collected the ball and the Bison secured the tournament bid.
Up Next
The Bison will play in the Patriot League Tournament hosted by Boston University.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Marinelli, Olivia (4-6)
L: Sawai, Kailee (1-13)
Batting:
HR: Coyle, Megan 1
RBI: Coyle, Megan 1 ; Roman, Julia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coyle, Megan 1 ; Langford, Bailey 1
Batting:
2B: Knapp, Chase 1 ; Lorberter, Kailyn 1
RBI: Knapp, Chase 2 ; Lorberter, Kailyn 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Speicher, Haley 1 ; Smith, Zoie 1 ; Jones, Savannah 1 ; Knapp, Chase 2
SB: Speicher, Haley 1 ; Smith, Zoie 1 ; Knapp, Chase 1
