Softball Caps Bucknell Series with Win

Monday, April 11

Lewisburg, PA

2 PM

Army West Point

24-14, 6-2

Bucknell

21-14, 6-3

Army

Bucknell

Softball Caps Bucknell Series with Win

April 11, 2016 | Softball

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – A big seventh inning by the Army West Point softball team helped the Black Knights secure the series over Patriot League foe Bucknell Monday afternoon. The Cadets scored three runs in their final at-bat against the Bison to secure a 5-1 victory and to win the series 2-1.

"Away from the scoreboard, what our team did well this weekend was be coachable players and exercise a team-first attitude," said head coach Michelle DePolo. "They followed our guidance and fulfilled any role asked of each player. I cannot stress enough how important that has been for us this year. Our defense had an exceptional series. They are as steady as it gets, and in the event of a misplay they recover immediately. I know the pitching staff has a lot of confidence in them and vice versa."

Holding a slim 2-1 lead after five innings, Army found a spark in the top of the seventh to put the game away. Ashley Yoo reached on a walk to start off the inning. Then, Kasey McCravey was intentionally walked which brought her career total to 70 which breaks the career record mark which has been held by Erin McClain (69) since 2010.

Alee Rashenskas knocked a two-run double to left field which sent Yoo and McCravey across home plate to increase the Cadets' lead to 4-1. A single down the left field line by Gladys Esparza-Gallegos advanced Rashenskas home to give Army its fifth and final run of the game.

In the Bison's home half of the seventh, the bases were loaded as Renee Poirier came into the circle with the tying run on deck. She struck out the next batter before a double play orchestrated by Rashenskas, Esparza-Gallegos and Emily Gray got the Black Knights out of the jam to secure the victory.

McCravey started the game off with a base hit to left center for Army (24-14, 6-2 PL) before Rashenskas notched a single to the same location. On the next play, Gray stroked a double which sent McCravey home to put Army ahead 1-0.

The Black Knights maintained their lead though the fourth inning until Bucknell (21-14, 6-2 PL) tied it up 1-1 as Smith stepped into the circle for relief. Army scored a run in the top of the fifth when Yoo took advantage of a rundown to break the tie.

"We asked the hitters to make some challenging mid-game adjustments and they did with without question and struck hard," said DePolo. "It was self-less play and you couldn't ask for anything more."

This is the first in four series against Bucknell that the Black Knights have won. The last came in 2012 when Army defeated the Bison four games to one. Bucknell and Army are now tied in the Patriot League rankings as the two teams both boast 6-2 conference records.

Smith picked up the win in today's game and Renee Poirier earned her eighth save of the season. Poirier is now tied for second in the career saves record with Veronica Barth.

"I thought all our pitchers gave great performances," added DePolo. "We have such a diverse staff that we are going to use it to our advantage and change it up when we can. Renee provides a different look and she's done a great job coming in the seventh inning all season long. She keeps great composure for a plebe in tight situations and did her job well.

"With the schedule change tomorrow, we are looking forward to some rest and getting ready for another big weekend."

The Black Knights' doubleheader versus St. Peter's has been postponed and the make-up date has not been announced. Army will host Lehigh April 16-17 for a three-game series at the Army Softball Complex.

For up-to-date information about Army softball, please follow @ArmyWP_Softball on Twitter and Instagram.