Last year, Bucknell Softball entered the 2023 season seeking to return to the Patriot League tournament for the first time since 2019. With that mission accomplished after the team made a historic push, winning its last six conference games to clinch the fourth and final seed, the goal shifts to maintaining that success and pushing upwards into the established Patriot League hierarchy. With a burgeoning freshmen class of five and a veteran-laded squad (eleven upperclassmen), head coach Sarah Caffrey's Bison are prepared to make some noise during the 2024 season.
Like all spring sports, softball has the blessing of using fall scrimmages to test newcomers, see what players made summer progress, and weed out imperfections before the games count. Bucknell softball used a diverse fall slate, which included a game against Maryland at the Little League World Series Girls with Game experience to test the waters. Caffrey feels that intense progress was made:
“From fall ball to now, we had plenty of growth in several areas. In the fall, you are trying to mesh and find out who is doing what. We have started to settle in, giving us an idea of what players are. Fans will see different lineups during the opening weekend. Players are starting to settle at positions where they can stay for the season.”
The team's depth excites Caffrey, who has been working on rebuilding that element after being hired in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, in 2024, she feels the team has sufficient competition that jobs aren't guaranteed.
“We have lots of options. Which is nice. It is not just guaranteed to be on the field. Players have to earn their spot every day, and while that is challenging, Team 46 is up for it.”
Caffrey is fond of using the Team (insert current number) designation. Bucknell's 46th year of softball offers flexible veterans, a First Team All-Patriot League catcher, a core junior class, sensational sophomores, and a fabulous group of freshmen. All four segments will see playing time. Not one class will be expected to carry the entire burden.
The battle-tested senior class starts the class-by-class breakdown. Consisting of sure-gloved third baseman Noelle Gardon, utility specialist Annabella Hawkins, First Team All-Patriot League catcher Zoie Smith, and pitcher Hunter Vestal, the group provides as much on-the-field production as they do off-the-field leadership. Three players (Gardon, Hawkins, & Smith) were penciled-in starters and should expect to receive a bulk of playing time. Caffrey raved about the quartet:
“They bring four years of experience. You have Annabella, who played both infield and outfield. Zoie is Zoie. The biggest thing for her is focusing on each game as it comes and not trying to do too much. She is a force of nature and keeping her locked into what she has been doing is key. Hunter has had a great fall and spring. She brings a different look to our staff. Noelle is best described as a Steady Eddie. She learned to play third base in 2023, and she will hold down the left side of the infield. I expect those four to pace our roster.”
For playing the hot corner, Gardon is remarkably stoic at the plate. She recorded 29 walks last season, ranking third all-time in Bucknell single-season history. The 29 free passes gave her a .402 on-base percentage, the second-best mark behind Smith’s .430. She flashed the leather at third like Graig Nettles routinely stealing base hits from opponents. Bill McKechnie built his 1940 Cincinnati Reds World Series team on glovework and Gardon fits the bill.
Hawkins rotated between second base and right field in 2023 but should stay anchored to the keystone position. The right-hander possesses a beautifully vicious swing and early reports indicate her bat has only grown in effectiveness.
Smith headlines the returners. The Pickerington, Ohio native smashed the sphere in 2023, finishing with 15 doubles, good enough for third in the PL and 19th in the nation for doubles per game. Smith’s .353 average and 71 total bases paced the Bison. Smith added the speed element to her game, stealing ten bases in 11 attempts. She entered 2023 having stolen zero in previous campaigns. A catcher is the bedrock of every successful team and the Bison have the finest receiver in the circuit.
Smith is proud of her 2023 and 2024 accolades but isn't content to rest on any laurels.
"I'm extremely grateful to be nominated as preseason All-Patriot League alongside all the other talented Patriot League athletes. However, last year's statistics don't matter anymore. Every athlete and every team is starting with a clean slate where anything can happen. It will be a fun season with talented teammates pushing me to be a better teammate and athlete. I'm excited and ready to build upon last season's on and off the field successes and make another run at the Patriot League Championship."
Vestal recorded a 2.75 ERA in 20.1 innings in 2023. Caffrey raved about her performance in fall ball and the Texan hurler should see additional work, especially with the graduations of Kaiya Burton and Olivia Marinelli. The two graduates combined for 134 innings and eight wins. Vestal posted the first win of her Bucknell career last year against Colgate.
The largest class for Bucknell (seven players), the juniors enter the 2024 campaign in the words of Caffrey, “Bringing layers of experience because they have been put in that position their first two years.” The team is counting on the trial by fire to pay dividends. Every part of the diamond is represented in the junior class. Like Wheaties, they fuel the team's health. Caffrey knows best:
“When I think of the junior class, I think of fast and the outfield because we have two big-time outfielders in Ava Aguilar and Elena Horn. They can play a massive role for us. The three infielders, MaKenzie Hilling at first base, Bella Radican, and Juliette Basso, are fighting it out in the middle. Pitchers Savannah Jones and Madison Roukey round out the group, and of course, Jones plays the outfield, too. That group is diverse. It is a competitive role because both the underclassmen are also athletic."
Aguilar patrols Becker's expansive outfield. With its deep fences and thick power alleys, it is no cigar box stadium. An outfielder must be fleet of foot, quick of wit, and contain a glove of glue. Aguilar fills the bill. She had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage on 52 chances. Not surprisingly, it was the finest mark on the team.
Juliette Basso had reduced playing time in 2023 but is one of the leading candidates for the shortstop position left vacant by Chase Knapp's graduation. The versatile junior has 16 career hits and eight RBIs.
MaKenzie Hilling, the two-time captain, locked down the first base as her station. In 2023, Hilling made the Patriot League All-Tournament Team and hit .233 with 30 hits, seven doubles, one home run, and 16 RBIs. Vocal and possessing a dependable glove, Hilling is the team's firebrand.
"I think this season has huge potential to be great. I foresee Team 46 overcoming a lot of hard games and showing true grit. I am beyond excited to see this team get on the field and ball out!"
Elena Horn, an old-school slapper, got results in 2023, hitting .296 (second on the team, and 94 points above her 2022 average) with 21 hits. The team expects her to take the next step and lock down an outfield position. A sharp slapper is hard to stop and Horn's speed will play havoc with opponents' catchers.
Savannah Jones, a dual-threat, hurls speed from the mound and heads to the outfield when she isn't dealing heat. Patriot League opponents have a healthy respect for the Midwestern Marvel, voting her Second Team All-Patriot League last season. Jones battled cleanup and led the Bison in RBIs (25). 2023 was Jones' first playing year due to missing 2022 with an injury.
Bella Radican enters the 2024 season, seeking to lock down the open shortstop position. The junior has only two errors in two seasons of work. A hustling athlete, and a scholar off the field, Radican looks to make her junior season the most memorable one yet.
Madison Roukey, popularly stylized as Maddie the Baddie, enters the 2024 season as the prominent returning pitcher. Roukey led the 2023 Orange & Blue crew in wins (6) and ERA (2.74). Her 10-strikeout performance against Holy Cross earned the iconic sobriquet and was the first time a Bison hurler tossed 10 strikeouts in a game since recently graduated Kaiya Burton pulled the feat in 2020. Roukey's development into a frontline pitcher herded Bucknell's return to the Patriot League Tournament.
Roukey, the eldest pitcher of the staff, raved about her teammates:
"As for us pitchers, we have a staff this year with five arms that can do a lot of damage in different ways. We've been setting the tone at practice, and are looking to carry that into the season. Knowing four other ladies have your back if you have an off day takes a lot of unnecessary pressure off and allows us to go out there and throw. We have a lot of trust in each other and know that when we combine our strengths we can beat anybody. We're excited to get to work and allow our team to win some big games!"
The sophomore class enters 2024, looking to remain healthy and take the next step after encouraging first-year seasons. Mea Consentino, a local product from Berwick, has thrown intriguing fall outings. Nicole Limouis has a clean bill of health. Marissa Rapino will compete for an outfield spot. Angelina Seropian has refined her hitting to pair with her excellent catching. Haley Speicher posted a solid rookie season. Caffrey has kind words about all five players:
“The bright spot of that class has been Mea Consentino. She has had a great fall and a consistent spring. Her pitches have developed and she has learned the game. She has a funky spin and developed a changeup. Nicole Lioumis is healthy, which is exciting, and produced some nice swings. Angelina Seropian has been having a great hitting spring which adds to her game. She has always been a defensive force. Haley Speicher and Marissa Rapino both provide more depth in the outfield.”
Consentino witnessed little action in 2023, throwing in three games for seven innings. The sophomore pitcher did not let the limited appearances deter her and has entered 2024 as a player, Bison fanatics should keep an eye on.
Nicole Lioumis, battling injuries, only appeared in 15 games during the 2023 season and collected one hit. But she picked the perfect opponent, delivering a single against the #22 Maryland Terrapins. She missed fall ball due to lingering effects, but is now fully healthy and taking healthy whacks at the ball.
Marissa Rapino saw action from the opening weekend and continued intermittently throughout the campaign. The outfielder ended up with five hits, including one double. She is expected to compete for a starting outfield role.
Angelina Seropian occasionally spelled Zoie Smith at the plate and fielded well, collecting a .966 percentage. Displaying burgeoning power at the plate, three of her eight hits went for doubles. With Seropian's continuing development, providing Smith with a rest day is a fine proposition.
Haley Speicher blitzed through the final home stretch of the campaign to blossom as one of the Patriot League's top rookies. The slashing slapper recorded a batting average of .269 with three triples and eight stolen bases. She was stationed in Becker's lengthy center field and repeatedly tracked down errant fly balls.
The five-woman rookie class brings plenty of tantalizing promise to Becker Field. Headlined by pitcher Sarah Zimmerman, the group seeks to make an impact from the first pitch and they can fulfill that promise. Caffrey couldn't contain her excitement about them:
“The freshmen are everything you could hope for and more because they show up and go for it. They just get better and better. They will fill various roles on the team this year based on what is needed. Sarah Zimmerman has been battling some injuries but we are excited to see her throw in the circle. Shea Malone is consistent for a freshman. Bridget Haller continues to grow and improve in the outfield. Molly Lawson can play a significant role; she hits like an upperclassman. She has good at-bats and makes adjustments. Brooke Popella is athletic and she can be another role player.”
Bridget Haller received some playing time during fall ball and displayed flashes. She will be in the heavy mix of outfielders.
Molly Lawson has shown promise in the infield positions. Bison should keep an eye on her development. At the plate, she has shown poise and veteran discipline.
Shea Malone, no relation to Sam Malone, is another player in the mix for an outfield slot. The rookie displayed a skill for tracking down fly outs during fall ball.
Brooke Popella slots in at various positions and will serve as needed for the Bison. Bucknell has plenty of options in 2024.
Zimmerman enters Bucknell as a hard-throwing lefty. Pitching is 90% of softball, and her presence elevates the Bison pitching staff. She entered in relief against Maryland in fall ball and shut down the Big 10 squad. Zimmerman also hits, adding another lefty bat to Bucknell's arsenal.
The four captains, Annabella Hawkins, MaKenzie Hilling, Madison Roukey, and Zoie Smith, are all upperclassmen, bringing a wealth of experience to the role. Three leaders (Hawkins, Hilling, and Smith) repeat the role for a second season. Smith sums her thoughts on the role:
“It is cool to be nominated by my teammates two years in a row to be a captain. I'm excited to build on the foundation we worked on establishing, and have been building these last four years. I'm excited to take the field with Team 46 and compete this upcoming season.”
Hilling feels similar about the designation, "Being chosen to be captain again is a privilege I am very grateful to receive."
Her fellow junior, Roukey, offered this jubliant reply:
I'm extremely grateful and excited to be named a captain this year and have the opportunity to help lead Team 46 to a great season. Everyone has bought into the process and I can't wait to see our team's grit and competitive fire come out next weekend.
Hawkins provided this poignant message about recognizing the swiftness of time but enjoying the last firsts:
“It is hard to believe the time is already here for all of the “lasts” that come with being a senior. But I believe my role this season is to relish in all of the “firsts” of Team 46. The first away trip, the first game, the first win, the first conference series, etc. It is my mission this season to utilize my experience from the past three years in order to lead this team to be as successful as possible, to grow as people, and to enjoy all the little moments of being part of Team 46.”
Let's allow Smith to have the final word:
Being a senior brings emotions, but all I can feel is immense gratitude for taking the field every day with Team 46. As Coach Si's first class, she's had all four years; it has been fun growing and building a strong culture at Bucknell. Team 46 is a dynamic and versatile team with a good combination of young talent and experienced veterans. I'm ready to take the field with them for my last season.
Team 46 has the most depth of any Bucknell squad since 2020. The pitching staff has five capable arms, the captains are valiant leaders, the hitting continues to show marked improvement under Coach Posner, the youthful talent is aggressively pushing forward, and the team has stability. If the weather holds out and the injury deities do not forsake the Bison, Bucknell can surprise the traditionally rigid Patriot League power structure. The process starts Feb. 9 at the Kickin' Chicken Classic.