THE BASICS

Score (Game 1): Bucknell 5, Holy Cross 2 
Score (Game 2): Bucknell 3, Holy Cross 0
Pitching Decision (Game 1): W: Dana Nielsen (12-4) | L: Gennifer Durham (4-9)
Pitching Decision (Game 2): W: Amanda Fazio (15-9) | L: Katy Watson (3-4)
Records: Holy Cross (7-16, 5-9 PL) ; Bucknell (30-17, 9-5 PL)
Time: 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. 
Location: Freshman Field (Worcester, Mass.) 
The Lead:  Bucknell's Kristen Zahn went a perfect 4-4 with four singles and two RBIs as the Bison took game one by a final of 5-2. In game two, Amanda Fazio pitched seven innings of lights out softball as she blanked the Crusaders, 3-0, at Freshman Field on Saturday afternoon in Patriot League softball action. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

GAME 1 

• After both teams were unable to plate a run within the first two frames, Bucknell got on the board for three runs in the top of the third inning to take the quick 3-0 lead. Cydnee Sanders sent an RBI single into left field that plated Fazio and Carolyn Wan, as an infield single by Zahn scored both Sanders and Fazio. 
• Junior Hailey Mullen (Plainville, Mass.) stole second base and was able to come around on an RBI single to center field from the bat of classmate Sarah Kane (Jacksonville, Fla.) to cut the Bisons lead to 3-1 in the bottom half of the inning. 
• Through the final three innings, the Bison tacked on two more runs to extend their lead to 5-1. Zahn rocketed a single into center that allowed Jacee Almond to plate in the top of the fifth, as Wan hit an infield single to third that allowed Emily Cox to cross home plate. 
• In the bottom of the seventh, Holy Cross threatened as senior tri-captain Abigail Lang (Londonderry, N.H.) took Bucknell's Dana Nielsen deep as she sent her first home run of the season over the fence in right center field to cut the lead to 5-2. Junior Emily Jarvis (Hopkinton, Mass.) entered the game as a pinch hitter for freshman Gabby Muniz (Rockport, Mass.) and ripped a single up the middle. 
• After allowing two back-to-back hits, Nielsen settled down and retired the Crusaders as Bucknell took the 5-2 victory in game one. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

•  Bucknell outhit Holy Cross 11-6 through seven innings of play. 
•  The Bison left six runners on base, while the Crusaders left five. 
•  Bucknell starter Dana Nielsen (12-4) took the game one victory as she tossed seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and one punch-out. 
•  Durham (4-9) took the loss as she pitched six innings and allowed five runs on ten hits with three strikeouts. Freshman pitcher Amanda Gonzalez (West Roxbury, Mass.) pitched one inning of relief and allowed one hit with one strikeout. 

GAME 2 

• Bucknell got to Watson early thanks to an RBI double ripped over the left fielder's head from the bat of Zahn that allowed Sanders to plate the first run of the game. 
• Meghan Dovac reached second on a stand-up double to left field to begin the top of the fourth frame for the Bison. Paulina Gutkin entered the game to pinch run for Dovac and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Cox. With one out, Christina Martinez sent a deep fly ball to center that allowed Gutkin to plate, extending Bucknell's lead to 2-0. 
• In the top of the sixth, the Bison added an insurance run to stretch their lead to 3-0 as they capitalized on errors by the Crusader defense. 
• Sanders began the inning with as single into right field and was able to come all the way around from first on a costly throwing error committed by the third baseman to first that allowed Zahn to reach first. 
• Despite allowing six hits through seven frames, Fazio shut down Holy Cross as she did not allow a runner past second base. In the bottom of the seventh, she retired the Crusaders in order and sealed the 3-0 game two victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Bucknell outhit Holy Cross 7-6 through seven innings of play. 
• The Crusaders left five runners on base, while Bucknell left six on the bags. 
• Bucknell starter Amanda Fazio (15-9) earned the game two victory as she tossed a solid seven innings and allowed zero runs with six punch-outs. 
• Watson (3-4) took the loss as she pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with one walk. 

UP NEXT 

• The Crusaders return to the diamond tomorrow, April 26, in the series finale versus Bucknell at 12:00 p.m. at Freshman Field. 

KEEP CONNECTED 

• For everything Holy Cross softball, follow the team on Twitter @HCrossSoftball as well as Holy Cross Athletics @GoHolyCross.
• You can also subscribe for email alerts for all news and information on the team at http://www.goholycross.com/list-signup.