April 6, 2014

1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E Bucknell 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 Lafayette 0 0 0 0 0 2 X 2 5 0 Box Score 2

EASTON, Pa. - Lafayette closed its weekend series against Bucknell with a 2-1 win over the Bison on Sunday afternoon. Bryn Gornick proved to be difference as the sophomore drove in the two-game winning runs on a bloop single in the sixth and then closed out the game in the circle in top of the seventh.

Gornick ran into trouble in the seventh frame, allowing the first two Bucknell batters to reach base. The Villa Park, Calif. native was unfazed as she was able to record back-to-back groundouts with both runners being tagged out at home. The second play at the plate came on a diving flip play from Gornick to catcher Jenna Kulback who then applied the tag.

Gornick finished the day, going 1-for-3 at the dish with two RBIs. She pitched two scoreless innings in relief of starter Melissa Robinson, allowing just two hits, to improve her record to 1-1. Robinson went five innings, scattering four hits and giving up one earned run. Allison Brown recorded two base hits to lead the Leopards.

The score was deadlocked at 0-0 before the Bison pushed across the game's first run in the top half of the fourth inning. Cydnee Sanders lined a double to the center field wall with one out before advancing to third on a groundout. Cheyanna Young beat out a single to the pitcher which plated Sanders and gave Bucknell (14-16, 6-3) the 1-0 lead.

Lafayette (4-21, 2-7) had a threat brewing in the bottom of the fifth. Kulback tripled down the right field line with two outs. Pinch hitter Victoria Vergona walked and then stole second to place two runners in scoring position with Amy Gebhardt coming to the plate. Bison pitcher Dana Nielson escaped the Leopards' threat, sending Gebhardt down on strikes.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kelly Lallis and Brown singled in back-to-back plate appearances with one out to set up the Maroon & White with another scoring opportunity. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a Kristen Marinelli ground out to bring up Gornick. She blooped a base hit over the second baseman's head to drive in both runs and hand the Leopards the 2-1 edge.

The Bison threatened in the top of the seventh. Young and Mariah Midyette each singled to start the inning and Bucknell had runners on second and third with no outs. Gornick proceeded to make Tori Robinson ground into the fielder's choice and the pinch runner was out trying to score on the play.

BU still had runners on second and third with one out with Erin Cox at the plate. The pinch hitter hit a weak dribbler in front of home plate and pinch runner Kasey Seigel attempted to score on the play. Gornick made the outstanding play, diving for the ball and flipping it to Kulback all in one motion. Kulback placed the tag on Seigel for the second out. Gornick retired the next batter, Courtney Conover, on a fly out to center to end the game.

Cindy Cherness (2-2) of Bucknell pitched just two and third innings, giving up one run on two hits to receive the loss.

The Leopards return to action on Wednesday as they host Delaware in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.