Lions Softball Splits Series with Bucknell Bison

After starting the 2002 softball season red-hot by garnering a six-game win streak at the Rebel Games in Orlando Fla., the Columbia Lions have returned to planet Earth. The Lions are still playing well, but some unlucky bounces left the Light Blue with two splits this week.

The latest came yesterday, as Columbia fell to Bucknell 2-0 in extra innings before defeating the Bison 4-1 in the nightcap. The split left the Lions at 11-9 on the season.

Sophomore hurler Laura Grant pitched all nine innings of game one of the Lions' season home opener at Andy Coakley Field. Grant (3-4) tossed a gem for the Lions, pitching eight shutout innings before giving up a two-run homer to Bucknell senior Jenna Demetriades in the top of the ninth.

"Laura was dominating all game," junior April Jarvis said. "She pitched eight strong innings which is more than a regular game. She just gave up that one hit at the end."

The Lions created some excitement in the bottom of the ninth before fizzling out. Starting a two-out rally, Jarvis and first-year Marisa Marconi both hit singles before sophomore Amber Abrams was hit by a pitch. But down 2-0 with the bases loaded and two outs, sophomore Stephanie Reeder popped out to end the game.

Bucknell junior Brandi Porter had her best game of the season, going the distance on the mound and allowing only four hits while striking out nine.

"The Bucknell pitcher in the first game had pretty good movement," Reeder said. "We just failed to put together hits. I think we only had two before the ninth."

But the Lions rebounded in game two, striking early and often en route to a 4-1 win in which the Lions amassed eight hits. The Lions scored three of their four runs in the fifth when junior Courtney Ryan hit one up the middle that went between the legs of the Bison second baseman. After a series of fielding errors, Ryan crossed the plate on an error-plagued inside the park homerun.

Junior co-captain Allison Buehler pitched for the second game, earning her fourth victory of the season. The Bison scored their only run in the sixth inning.

"Allison was outstanding as usual," Jarvis said. "She was definitely on [her] game."

Although Columbia was disappointed with the extra-inning loss in game one, the team appeared upbeat, regaining their spark at the plate in game two.

"The loss wasn't demoralizing," Reeder said. "We know that we can play with anybody in the Ivy League or anyone else on our schedule. We are confident in our ability. We could have won that game, and it is the type of game we hope to win later in the season."

As usual, the Lions got tremendous performances from the mound in both games, but the offensive output was inconsistent. Simply put, when the Lions hit well, as they did in the second game, they win. Losses, like the first game, are the direct result of lackluster offense.

Columbia appeared the better team yesterday afternoon. Consistently hitting the ball harder, fielding more cleanly, and employing more speed around the base paths than the Bison; but for the second day in a row, the Lions left with a split.

"We had a good turn out of people," Reeder said. "It was nice to play at home."

Columbia will play a doubleheader against St. John's Wednesday at Baker Field.