Bison softball started their series Saturday April 9 against Army. Despite their best efforts, they fell 0-3 by the end of Sunday. The team also had a two game series at home against Saint Francis, but was unable to emerge victorious in either game. These losses dropped the team’s record to 5-31 on the season and 1-8 in conference play. 

The first game of the series ended 5-0 in favor of Army. Both teams started out strong defensively before Army came out with a bang in the third inning. They scored three huge runs to put them in the lead. The Bison were able to get four hits, yet were unable to capitalize with any runs. 

Olivia Marinelli ’23 had some impressive pitching, who let up only two hits, two runs and a couple walks. Also impressive was the work of Kelly Toomey ’22 and Madison Roukey ’25. Roukey allowed one hit and walked one.

In the second game of the series, the Bison again remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth. Four hits in the bottom of the sixth helped shift the momentum. Hits from Nicole Rivait ’22 and Chase Knapp ’23 were able to put runners on second and third. Jessie Kincer ’25 was brought in to pinch hit and came up with a single to load the bases. Juliette Basso’25 was up at bat with two strikes and two outs. She was able to come up with another single that brought home two runners and gave the Bison their first lead of the weekend.

They were one strike away from securing the victory when Army hit a double to left field. Army was able to bring in two runs to comeback and win.

The Orange and Blue were back on the field facing the Army on Sunday morning. Again, the Bison started the game trailing. They were down 4-0 before they were able to get in three runs in the fifth inning. Offensively, the Orange and Blue led 11-10 in hits. Defensively the pitching staff threw a combined five strikeouts courtesy of Kaiya Burton ’23, Hunter Vestal ’24 and Roukey. The Bison entered the seventh inning still trailing 4-3 Knapp was able to single in the game tying run. Unfortunately, the Bison eventually fell in extra innings 5-4. 

The Bison picked back up Tuesday afternoon at home for a double header against Saint Francis. In the first match, the Bison led offensively with nine hits, but numerous errors gave the Red Flash a 5-1 lead after three innings. The next two innings were scoreless by both teams until Saint Francis was able to get off a pair of hits in the top of the sixth.

The Bison were able to spark some life into the game in the bottom of the sixth with a triple from Knapp. Kincer was able to bring Knapp in off a single and then Annabella Hawkins ’24 singled home Kincer. The score was then 5-3. The closest the Bison would get. 

Saint Francis came out strong offensively in the second game, tallying up 11 hits total and scoring seven runs. The Bison were unable to convert offensively but played a good defensive led game. Vestal threw the first four innings, allowing one earned run and striking out two. Roukey, Burton and Toomey followed on the mound. 

Despite a touch past couple games, the Orange and Blue look to improve their record Saturday April 16 with a double header against Colgate.