Softball Edged in Two Wet Video games by ETSU & Winthrop

ROCK HILL, S.C.- The rain fell and so did Bucknell (1-17) in two video games on Sunday afternoon within the conclusion of the Winthrop Invitational. The Bison misplaced 7-5 to East Tennessee State (11-5) and 9-6 to Winthrop (14-11). Bucknell owned leads in each video games however noticed the Southern faculties battle again utilizing the sixth inning as the muse for his or her victories. 

Barbara Jo Coppola loved a 4-of-8 day with 4 RBIs. 

ETSU Recap

Bucknell led 5-1 getting into the seventh inning earlier than the Buccaneers scored six runs so as to add one other devastating defeat to the Bison’s 2026 ledger.

Avery Powers obtained the beginning and threw 5 scoreless innings earlier than ETSU timed her pitches within the last two frames.

The opening innings have been uninteresting earlier than actions picked up in third at-bats. Bucknell executed one other relay to nail a Buccaneer at residence plate and maintain the shutout intact.

The Bison broke by for a run of their third body. Haley Speicher reached on an error and Barbara Jo Coppola, who loved a three-hit recreation, sprayed a single by the left aspect. Skye Perez singled residence Speicher and Bucknell led 1-0.

ETSU tied the sport within the sixth inning. After a grounder, ETSU hit two singles. Powers labored a strikeout earlier than Leinani Lutz slammed an RBI single to left area, tying the sport.

Bucknell responded with 4 runs. Brooke Popella, a double machine in 2026, led off the inning with one other one. Meadow Gambacurta doubled residence Popella residence. Reagan Powell pinch ran for Gambacurta for additional pace. Molly Lawson singled and the Bison had runners on the corners. ETSU exchanged pitchers however the technique didn’t decelerate the immediately sizzling Orange & Blue bats. Shea Malone singled and Powell scored. Marissa Rapino flew out and Speicher grounded out. Coppola, a rookie, delivered like a veteran, with a two-run single and Bucknell’s 5-1 lead appeared massive.

That feeling shortly dissipated. A leadoff stroll, Bucknell’s bugaboo all season, set the desk. Taylor Suchy singled, a fielder’s selection adopted, and one other stroll loaded the bases. Whitney Boone singled residence two Bucs and ETSU trailed 5-3. Payton Moore strolled to the plate and slammed a three-run homer and immediately the Buccaneers sailed forward 6-5. An error by Perez and a wild pitch positioned Hailey Porter on second. Payton Hale entered the circle, in search of to douse the raging fireplace. Cameron Lauretta’s double scored Porter for an additional insurance coverage run. Hale recovered and induced the ultimate two outs.

Gambacurta singled however a foul out and two pop-ups ended the sport at 7-5 ETSU.

Winthrop Recap

Sarah Zimmerman began within the circle and went the gap in opposition to a potent Winthrop lineup. Skye Perez hit her first profession residence run. 

Both groups scored within the opening stanza. Speicher singled and Zimmerman sacrificed her to second. Coppola reached on an error and Speicher scored. Winthrop answered with a single and double combo. 

Bucknell seized the lead within the third inning. Once once more, Speicher launched operations. The slapper singled and stole second. Zimmerman singled, advancing Speicher to 3rd, after which swiped second. Coppola hit an RBI grounder, scoring Speicher. Lawson reached on an error and Zimmerman darted residence. 

The lead, not like the rain, didn’t final. The Eagles launched a barrage of hits. Two consecutive singles set the stage for a two-run double. Darrah Nickles’ single scored the third run and Winthrop led 4-3. 

The Bison, if they’ve one specific attribute, exhibit excessive tenacious need, and instantly counterattacked with two runs. Reagan Powell, receiving a beginning task, launched a house run, tying the sport. Zimmerman and Coppola slammed back-to-back doubles for the 5-4 Bucknell benefit. 

The Orange & Blue padded its lead within the fifth inning with a Skye Perez residence run. The sophomore despatched her first profession residence run into orbit and the group eagerly celebrated with the Texan at residence plate. 

Winthrop, displaying the expertise that allowed the Eagles to remain tempo with ranked Virginia Tech and South Carolina, tied the sport in its fifth at-bats. Nickens led off with a house run. Tia Beckham doubled and moved to 3rd on Grayson Buckner’s single. Zimmerman uncorked a wild pitch and Beckham dashed residence. The Bison pitcher recovered and induced three straight outs. 

Like in opposition to ETSU, the sixth inning proved fateful. The Bison went down so as however the Eagles flew forward with two-out magic and Bison help, as each residence run hitters dedicated expensive errors. Zimmerman commenced the inning with two straight outs and appeared to close down the foe so as when Perez, filling in at shortstop, booted a ball. Winthrop, invigorated by new life, struck onerous. Nickens walked on a full depend scenario. Beckham slugged an RBI double and the lead was Winthrop’s. Buckner hit an infield single and Powell’s throw zoomed previous Gambacurta’s glove at first. Two Eagles scored deflating insurance coverage runs. 

Gambacurta labored a leadoff stroll however a fielder’s selection, a pop-up, and a grounder ended the sport, sending Bucknell to its thirteenth straight loss. 

Up Next

Bucknell continues its tour of the Carolinas with a Tuesday doubleheader at Gardner-Webb.