The Bison softball team began their series against Lehigh Saturday, April 23 with a double-header and then followed it up with a single game on April 24. Unfortunately, all three games went in favor of the Mountain Hawks.

The Bison had a rough start to game one, trailing 7-0 through the first three-and-a-half innings. However, their offensive efforts came through in the fourth and fifth inning with seven unanswered runs. The comeback started with MaKenzie Hilling’s ’25 two-run home-run in the bottom of the fourth.

Hillings said her mindset had not changed during the comeback. She added that “Every game we play I fully believe we can win; however, there was still nothing to lose. So the only thing on my mind was the very next pitch and helping my team try to take a win from Lehigh.”  

Back to back RBI’s from Nicole Rivait ’24 and Zoie Smith ’24 added three more runs to the scoreboard, putting them up 10-9 in the sixth inning. However, momentum fell short in the final inning, and Lehigh took back the lead 11-10.

The Orange and Blue had four hitters with two hits each, and Rivait and Hilling each added a pair of RBIs to the mix. On the defensive side, Kelly Toomey ’24 pitched the first two innings and returned in the seventh.

The second game was led by strong pitching by both teams with a score of 2-0. Olivia Marinelli ’23 pitched 5.1 innings and only let up two runs. Offensively, the Bison were unable to execute – only managing two runners on base through the first four-and-a-half innings. 

Annabella Hawkins ’24 contributed an RBI and was 3-6 on the day and Ava Aguilar ’25 went 2-3.

The third and final game of the series took place Sunday. The Bison had eight hits total but were unable to bring anybody home. Hilling and Jessie Kincer ’25 each had two hits to contribute.

Hunter Vestal ’24 pitched for the Bison and let up three runs in 2.1 innings. Marinelli and Toomey also saw time on the mound. Toomey struck out three batters and gave up one hit after pitching two innings.

Lehigh finished with a 4-0 lead by the end of the game. Despite a tough weekend, the team was able to find something to take away from it. “This was the last home series of the season with this team and I think we all truly felt the effects of the season coming to an end. I think we learned how to push through tough times no matter the outcome and how to continue to be a team even through adversity,” Hillings said.

The Bison will be on the road April 30 with a double-header. They look to finish their season with a win against Lafayette.