LEWISBURG, PA -- The Bucknell University softball team posted a 4-1 win over Delaware in the opener while the second game ended in a 2-2 tie when the game was called due to darkness after the eighth inning Tuesday afternoon at West Fields.

The Blue Hens, who are now 15-24-3 this year, struck first in the opener by scoring a run in the top of the first inning. With one out Katie DeSalvo (at right) doubled to leftcenter, and after she moved to third on a groundout by Michelle Plant, DeSalvo scored on a passed ball.

However the Bison, who improved to 15-30-1 on the season, responded with four runs in the bottom of the first. Ashley Carlson led off the frame with an infield single, and after Mary Pavlovich walked, Carlson scored when Erin Curatola doubled down the rightfield line. Lauren Litts then followed with a three-run homer to left, her fourth home run of the season, to give Bucknell a 4-1 lead.

Bison starter Christie Wiest would make the lead stand up, as she allowed just one earned run on eight hits while striking out five Blue Hens and not walking a batter. Delaware starter Carolynn Sloat also would not allow a run after the first inning but fell to 9-15 after giving up four earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

DeSalvo went 3 for 4 with a run scored to lead the Blue Hen attack.

Delaware again scored first in the nightcap by pushing across a run in the top of the second. Kim Ovittore led off the inning with a single into rightfield, advanced to second on a groundout by Michelle Kenney, and scored on a single up the middle by Barbara Traynor. The Blue Hens carried their 1-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Kristen Frick reached on an error by Ovittore and scored on a double by Sherry Finkel.

Delaware quickly regained the lead in the top of the seventh as Allison Borchers led off with a single and one out later scored on a double to leftcenter by Kenney. However Shelly McCormack led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to center and was pinch run for by Ashley Beans. One out later Beans advanced to third on a wild pitch, and following an intentional walk to Pavlovich, Curatola singled up the middle to score Beans with the tying run.

After both teams had a runner on third with one out in the eighth inning but could not score, the game was called due to darkness.

Blue Hen starter Samantha Shawn allowed two runs, one earned, on 1-0 hits while striking out eight batters in eight innings in the circle. Bucknell starter Meg Muirhead gave up one earned run on three hits in the opening four innings, while Katie McDonald allowed one hit in two scoreless innings and Meaghan Haley gave up one earned run on three hits in the final two innings.

Borchers finished 2 for 4 with a run scored for Delaware, while Kenney was also 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Delaware returns to Colonial Athletic Association play on Saturday with a 12 noon doubleheader at Georgia State.

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