In a three-game series this past weekend against Holy Cross, the Bison were able to finish 1-2 with a shutout win. The Bison improved their record 4-22 overall 1-2 and in Patriot League play.

The Bison opened up the series Saturday, Mar. 26 at home. The team, unfortunately, lost both games that afternoon 2-1 and 1-0.

Holy Cross was able to score in their first at-bat of the game. The Bison responded with a single from Elena Horn ’25 and a bunt from Nicole Rivait ’22. However, the Crusaders were able to make back-to-back outs to prevent the Bison from scoring.

Zoie Smith ’24 had two hits in the first game, one of which was able to bring Horn home to score and tie the game at 1-1. In the same play, Rivait also tried coming home but was called out. An inning later, Holy Cross had three hits that brought in one runner, putting them up 2-1. The Bison were unable to respond this time.

Kelly Toomey ’22 threw a complete game, consisting of an impressive eight strikeouts, and only gave up six hits.

The second game was also low-scoring due to impressive efforts from the defensive side. The only run scored was the result of an obstruction at the plate in favor of the Crusaders. Holy Cross singled left in the top of the fifth, with two outs. Ava Aguilar ’25 made the play home where the runner was originally called out. But Smith was called for obstruction by the umpires and the Crusaders earned the run.

Olivia Marinelli ’23 also threw a complete game with three strikeouts and only allowing six hits.

Sunday morning the Bison dominated Becker Field. They came out explosive in the first inning with six hits and seven runs. Madison Roukey ’25 pitched the entire game and earned her first career shutout. She had three strikeouts, zero walks and only gave out five hits.

“I think we were a whole different team going into Sunday’s game after Saturday’s losses. We approached the game with a different sense of confidence, rather than any sort of doubt due to the prior day,” Horn said.

Six different players got hits in Sunday’s game, including Horn, Mackenzie Hilling ’25 and Smith, who had multiple hits. The Bison tallied four doubles out of their nine hits of the game. “We knew no one needed to hit the game-winning hit or score all the runs. We all trusted each other at the plate, and the main goal was just to pass the bat” Horn said.

Holy Cross had their first hit in the top of the second inning but were hitless until the fourth. The initial 7-0 lead gave the Bison a comfortable lead that they were able to increase in the bottom of the fourth to 8-0, enough to secure the victory.

The Bison look to get back on the field Tuesday at 6 p.m. when they will play Penn State at State College.