LEWISBURG, Pa. – Colgate softball overcame Bucknell 5-3 on Monday morning to take its first Patriot League series win of the 2023 season.
After being down by a run with one offensive chance left, catcher Quinn Livesay gave the Raiders the lead and the eventual win with a go-ahead three-run home run that pushed the score to 5-3 in the top of the seventh.
Pitchers
Bailey Misken and
Alexa Acker combined for five hits, three runs, and five strikeouts to lead Colgate to victory defensively. Freshman Acker held the Bison scoreless in her 2 2/3 innings pitched.
The Raider offense tried to make some noise in the opening two innings as Adrienne Nardone, Rachel Carney, and Taylor Ludwick all walked but were eventually stranded. Elizabeth Nitka got the first Colgate hit in the first half of the second, but quick work from Bucknell squashed any chances of the infielder advancing.
The Bison broke the scoreless tie with an unearned run in the bottom of the third to lead 1-0.
Colgate broke its scoring lull in the top of the fifth as Kara Fusco opened the inning with a walk. Cate Murray came in to pinch run for Fusco right before Nardone slammed a homer to left center to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead.
Bucknell responded to the scoring change in the bottom of the inning with a single to right field to tie the game and then a sac-fly to take the lead back.
The game came down to the wire as the Raiders knew they needed to catch a spark in the seventh after a double play ended any offensive chances in the top of the sixth. Nardone opened the inning with a single to Bucknell's third baseman, which caught the Bison off guard and allowed Nardone to advance to second on an error.
Ludwick walked again two at-bats later to have the tying run on base. Sophomore Jillian Herbst grounded out to the pitcher to help her teammates move up the diamond and put Nardone in scoring position. The winning homerun was up next as Livesay had a 2-2 count before slamming the ball over the left fielder and the wall to bring herself, Nardone, and Ludwick home to push Colgate ahead 5-3.
The Bison tried to retaliate with a double to left center to open the final inning, but the defense prevailed with three quick outs to hold the score at 5-3 to give the Raiders their first confernce series win.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Softball Coach Marissa Lamison-Myers
"I am so proud of the way our team fought today. Bailey and Alexa pitched incredibly and gave our offense an opportunity. What can you say about Addy and Quinn with two monster home runs? The unsung hero in the game was our bench. They kept the energy up all game and were each ready to go when needed. It was a full team effort today, and I couldn't be prouder."
UP NEXT
Colgate (11-18) have off the rest of the week before returning to action on Saturday, April 8, to open home action against Holy Cross. The Raiders host the Crusaders for a pair of games scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. at the Eaton Street Softball Complex.
