The softball team continued its Patriot League success March 29-31 with a 2-1 series win at home versus Holy Cross. The team also split a non-conference home doubleheader against La Salle on April 1.

The Bison started off their weekend with a low-scoring contest in some rainy weather on March 29. Lara Bean ’17 pitched her first complete game on the mound for the team, allowing four hits and one run in her fourth victory of the season. On offense, Colie Escobar’s ’15 home run gave the squad the push they needed to overcome their opponent, leading the Orange and Blue to a 2-1 win.

The team’s second game was postponed and the Sunday doubleheader was moved to March 31 due to the weather. After resuming play, the Bison struggled to regain their momentum in the first game of the day. Cheyanna Young ’16 started off strong with a two-RBI double in the first inning, but the team’s offense did not have much more success as the game continued. Dana Nielsen ’16 and Cindy Cherness ’16 tried to hold up the defense with five and two strike outs respectively, but were unable to stop the Crusaders’ offensive onslaught in the 7-3 loss.

“I think as a team we demonstrated remarkable focus and flexibility in being able to come back with a pair of wins after the rain delays and game postponements that happened over this weekend, and I think it was this focus that helped us rally back to split both of our series,” Young said.

The Orange and Blue bounced back in the second game of the day, led once again by Bean earning her fifth win on the mound and Cherness coming in for relief. On offense, Kristen Zahn ’15 earned two runs and two RBI in the contest, leading the team to an eventual 6-3 victory.

The Bison faced a quick turn-around as they prepared to play in their doubleheader against La Salle on April 1. Their toughness showed as they fought through a scoreless first game where they struggled to hit in much of regulation. Bean held the opponent scoreless through five innings and Cherness pitched a strong three innings of relief, but La Salle proved too much and won the contest 1-0 in the eighth inning.

In the second game of the day, the Orange and Blue caught fire, an effort led by Cydnee Sanders ’15, Zahn, and Young. Sanders earned three runs and an RBI, Zahn scored three runs and launched a two-run home run to end the game, and Young added two runs and an RBI to propel the Bison to a 10-2 victory. Bean pitched strongly for the team once again, and Nielsen kept up the effort to finish out the game for the squad.

“I think that overall this week’s play was very successful, and I know that our success will only grow as we continue to generate and capitalize on our offensive and defensive momentum as we move further on into Patriot League play,” Young said.

The Bison will travel to Lafayette to faceoff against their conference opponents in a three-game series beginning tomorrow.