The softball team concluded its stretch of non-conference play with a decisive 2-1 series victory over Coppin State at home from April 18-19, along with a victory at Saint Francis (Pa.) in the first half of a doubleheader on April 22 that became only one game due to inclement weather.

The Bison started off their three-game home series versus Coppin State with a 6-4 victory. While the Eagles started off the game strong by jumping to a 2-0 lead, Lara Bean ’17 was able to earn the win on the mound while allowing just four hits and four runs in the complete game. The Orange and Blue offense was led by Cydnee Sanders ’15 with two hits and a run and Jacee Almond ’17, who had two hits, a run, and an RBI.

“I really love feeling the support of the team behind me and knowing that they always have my back,” said Bean.

The team started off slowly in their April 19 doubleheader as the series continued, losing 3-2 in eight innings in the first game. The game was a tight defensive battle, with Kristen Zahn ’15 tying the game up at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly in the seventh to send it into extra innings. The Bison were unable to finish out the game after their opponent scored again in the eighth inning however, and Dana Nielsen ’16 received the loss on the mound.

The Bison bounced back with a vengeance in the second game of the doubleheader, led by Amanda Fazio ’16 earning her first win of the season with a complete game in the 6-1 victory. Many players contributed on offense for the Orange and Blue, with Cheyanna Young ’16, Mallory Lyons ’14, Carolyn Wan ’17, and Courtney Conover ’14 driving in runs to help the team jump to a quick 6-0 lead in the first inning that they maintained for almost the whole game.

On April 22, the team set out to play a doubleheader against Saint Francis (Pa.), but inclement weather caused a delay in the first game and a cancellation of the second. Fazio again led the Bison from the mound in the first game, but it was Cindy Cherness ’16 that earned the win for her 2.2 innings pitched while allowing only one run and two hits. On offense, many members of the squad had good days, led by Conover with two hits and three RBI, and Young with two hits and two RBI. Wan also had an amazing day, going 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI in the 9-6 victory.

“I think if we just stay focused game by game we will continue to do well,” Bean said.

The Bison will return to Patriot League play tomorrow and Sunday when they travel to Colgate for a three-game series.