Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell jumped out of the gate with four early runs and held off a late rally to defeat the Boston University softball team, 5-3, at Becker Field.

Earning its 14th win in 15 games, the Bison improve to 33-18 and 12-6 in the Patriot League, while the Terriers end their season at 17-27 (7-11 PL).

A pair of freshmen led BU on the offensive front with Jilee Schanda hitting a two-RBI single and Emma Wong batting a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate.

Bucknell started with two doubles and a sacrifice bunt mishandled by the Terriers to grab a 2-0 lead against sophomore Makinna Akers (7-11). The Bison added two more runs off a single and fly out to left to pull ahead, 4-1.

The Terriers got on the scoreboard in the third against Dana Nielsen (13-4) off Wong's RBI single. Freshman Nicole Ericson opened with a single and was replaced at first by senior Kendra Meadows, who stole second and then reached home following Wong's hit.

After stranding two runners on base in the third and fifth, the Bison pushed the lead back to four in the sixth against junior Melanie Russell with a pair of singles and stolen base.

BU tried mounting its rally in the seventh and had the game-tying run at first with two outs before flying out to left. Following freshman Kaitlin Sahlinger's walk, Connolly earned a hit, and Wong drew a walk to load the bases. Schanda cut the deficit in half on her single to right, but the Terriers would never get closer.

The contest marks the final game for seniors Emily Felbaum, Mandy Fernandez and Kendra Meadows, who helped lead BU to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances and conference tournament crowns (2012, 2014). Felbaum ended her career with 30 doubles, tied for ninth most at BU.