By Alli Dadouris ‘14

Photo by Ally Hill ‘15 | The Lafayette

Lafayette Softball suffered a tragic four-game loss in their series this weekend against Bucknell University (13-24). Both teams had been tied in Patriot League Rankings going in to the series, but losing all four games moved Lafayette to last place and boosted Bucknell up to fourth. Rival Lehigh University is currently in first place with a Patriot League record of 9-3.

Bucknell began the first game with two runs in the first inning. In the sixth inning, Bucknell scored on a two-run home run. Lafayette was unable to get a hit off the entire game, losing 4-0.

The second game played out similarly. Bucknell scored in the first inning, and again in the sixth inning. Kaitlin Perrine ‘16 only allowed theBisons four hits. Lafayette was able to get two hits in the third inning, both from Brittany Paul ‘16. Unfortunately the Leopards were unable to take advantage of the opportunity to score. The game ended in a 2-0 loss for Lafayette.

The opening game on Sunday suggested a repeat of the day before. Bucknell managed a two-run lead in the second inning. The Bisons scored two more runs in the fifth, securing a 4-0 lead. Lafayette had a few opportunities to score in the sixth inning. Paul earned a pair of singles, while Bryn Gornick ‘16 and Jordan Parsons ‘13 also managed hits. The Leopards could not optimize on the runners on base, losing to the Bisons 4-0.

“Their pitchers threw very well,” Parsons said. “We didn’t make adjustments at the plate as well as we could have.”

The final game of the series looked more hopeful for Lafayette. Bucknell started the game off with a solo home run. They scored four more in the fourth inning, when the Bison managed another homer. The 5-0 lead was difficult to lose, but in the fifth inning, Lafayette began to make a comeback. Victoria Vergona ‘15 hit a bases-loaded sacrifice grounder, bringing in the first run for Lafayette. Melissa Robinson ‘14 and Paul accounted for the next two runs, scored on fielding errors. Bucknell matched these runs, scoring one in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Lafayette was unable to tie the game, losing the game 8-3.

Lafayette plays third-ranked Colgate University this weekend in another four-game series. After the dismissal of their head coach half way through the season, the team is still struggling to adjust to new leadership.

“If we are aggressive and smart on offense and focus on the defense behind our pitchers, we should have a great series” Parsons said.

Game play begins at 12 p.m. tomorrow in Hamilton, NY.