The Bucknell Bison softball team enters the 2023 season with heightened expectations after the 2022 campaign. The Orange & Blue picked up experience during last season’s battles, which is expected to pay off in 2023. It is Coach Caffrey's third season at the helm of the Bison, and she is ready for the program to take the next step.
“Everything for us is preparing the team for Patriot League play,” said head coach Sarah Caffrey. “That is what the message is. Can we get better every single time we play? That is what I am most excited about this team. I know that is what they will do.”
The goal, as Caffrey notes, early in the season is to come out and play hard:
“What areas can we be good in right out of the gate? Can we throw? Can we catch up? Can we get our bunts down? Can we throw strikes? Outside of those factors: are we getting better from game to game?
The outfield is expected to be a strength of the Bison. They are a young crew but fleet of foot and can cover the expanse of opposing fields and the Bison’s home pasture of Becker Field. The upgrade in tracking fly balls will prevent extra-base hits and advancing runners, often done in the shortened base paths of softball. Freshmen Marissa Rapino and Haley Speicher are exciting new additions as sophomore Elena Horn, winner of Patriot League Rookie of the Week, seeks to take the next step in her collegiate career. Fellow sophomore Ava Aguilar started 32 games in 2022 and fielded flawlessly. Bella Radican, another sophomore, flashed the leather with a .977 fielding percentage.
Infield spots are competitive as few positions are locked down. Senior Chase Knapp is moving from the outfield into the dirt to serve up stops at shortstop. Bison fans should keep their eyes peeled on MaKenzie Hilling. She has been playing both corner positions which are crucial defensive positions. Senior Kaitlyn Lorberter brings her experience and 110 career putouts. Sophomore Juliette Basso started 30 games in 2022. Junior Noelle Gardon offers a veteran presence.
The catcher position is a critical bulwark; since, as Casey Stengel famously said, “otherwise you will have a lot of passed balls,” has three players jockeying for the starting role: freshmen Nicole Lioumis and Angelica Seropian and incumbent Zoie Smith. All three catchers offer different strengths and provide depth for the Bison. Sophomore Jessie Kincer also returns in 2023.
The Bison boast of a deep pitching staff with six arms. Kaiya Burton (pictured below) and Olivia Marinelli are seniors, and Hunter Vestal, a junior, function as the veteran arms of the group. Marinelli posted a 3.65 ERA to lead the Bison in 2022. The younger pitchers include sophomores Savannah Jones and Madison Roukey and newcomer Mea Consentino. Coach Caffrey will have plenty of options, so repeat opponents will not see the same arms. The staff will keep the Bison in games, as all good pitching staffs do.
Regarding the bats, the Bison return two of the top three hitters from 2022 in Chase Knapp and Zoie Smith. Knapp belted eight extra-base hits. Smith hit an even .300 to lead all returning players and drove in 11 RBIs. Annabella Hawkins batted .298 in 47 at-bats and drew an on-base percentage of .411 to lead the 2022 team.
The ultimate team goal, according to Caffrey?
"The schedule, like for all northeastern schools, is challenging. We travel every weekend in non-conference. We do not play at home until conference play in March. It is not easy, but our theme is hard work and taking advantage of every opportunity. Our theme is about being tough and gritty. We will not overanalyze and make excuses. If we take care of the little things, the wins will happen. The next phase is to make the Patriot League Tournament and compete for the championship.”
The season starts this Friday with a challenging slate of games at the Upstate Classic, but the Bison relish the opportunity. Excitement abounds within the program, especially with the latest crop of freshmen. Senior Chase Knapp raved about the group: "Our freshmen class can step on the field day one and make an immediate impact."
Last season was a difficult one for the Bison, but Coach Caffrey notes how every season is its occurrence:
"Each year, you have a completely different dynamic. Just because a team wins one year will not guarantee it to win the following season. Conversely, if you fail one year, it does not mean you will fail the next. This year, it is Team 45 (the team's slogan of 2023, paying homage to the program's 45th season), not any other squad.
When the Bison take the field in three days, all memories of 2022 are behind the team. They are focused on 2023 and the opportunities that await the program.