The Bison softball team extended its undefeated Patriot League streak after sweeping Holy Cross in a three-game series on April 13-14 in Worcester, Mass. The Orange and Blue won both games of their doubleheader on April 13 by scores of 5-0 and 1-0, as well as the last game of the series the next day with a final score of 5-3. The Bison are now a resounding 12-0 in the Patriot League with an overall record of 23-16.

In the sixth inning of the first game, Taylor Wolfgang ’21 broke a 0-0 tie with a clutch three-run home run to secure the lead. Raeanne Geffert ’20 pitched a no-hitter through the first five innings on her way to a complete game, allowing only three hits and two walks. This is the fourth shutout in a row for Geffert.

Lauren Hadley ’19 got on base with a hit-by-pitch for the Bison in the top of the sixth inning. Anna Gimmestad ’19 responded with a single and both baserunners scored on Wolfgang’s home run. The Bison had eight hits in the game. Halie Mariano ’20 went three-for-three with a triple, while four other Bison hit singles.

During the 1-0 win in the second game, the only run the Bison needed came in the fourth inning from Nicole Rivait ’22, who hit her first career home run as a Bison. Lauren Lichtenwalner ’20 gave up only two hits in six innings, leaving the Crusaders hitless until the bottom of the fifth. The Bison collected eight hits in the game, with Marisa Alemany ’20 logging two doubles and Riviat hitting a single in addition to her home run.

The third and final game of the series was a nail-biter. In the bottom of the second inning, Holy Cross held the lead at 1-0. Alemany tied the game with an RBI double during the third inning, followed by Sarah Baluch ’22 with another RBI double in the fourth to put the Bison ahead 2-1. The Crusaders tied the game in the in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bison took it right back with an RBI single in the fifth.

With the game tied 3-3 after seven, the game headed into extra innings. In the top of the ninth, the Bison hit back-to-back home runs, with Gimmestad hitting the go-ahead home run followed by a Wolfgang bomb that put the Bison up 5-3. Geffert pitched the first six innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out four players. Lichtenwalner pitched the final three innings, allowing only one hit. The Bison finished the game with 11 hits. Gimmestad went three-for-five in the game, including a home run, a double, and a single. Five other Bison singled during the game.

“I think our team has been extremely focused and process-oriented this season. Our team is very energetic and we get each other hyped up, which makes us excited to play and perform at our best,” Sarah Magro ’21 said.

With their last win on April 14, the Bison secured a spot in the four-team Patriot League tournament. The Bison play next on April 18 against Binghamton in a non-conference game. The Bison face Army West Point on April 20-21 in another three-game, in-conference series.

“I feel optimistic about the rest of the season,” Alemany said. “We still have some important series and Patriot League games, but as long as we hold true to our game and our standard, I think we could have a pretty remarkable year.”