March 24, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell baseball senior Jason Buursma (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) named the Damon's Bison Athlete of the Week on Monday after helping the Bison to two victories last week with his efforts both at the plate and on the mound. This marks the third career Bison Athlete of the Week award for Buursma, who was honored as the PL Pitcher of the Week last Monday.

Over four games last week, Buursma hit .400 (6-for-15) with five runs scored and four RBI along with two doubles, a home run and four walks. He made three appearances out of the bullpen as well, picking up two wins. He threw a total of nine innings, allowing two runs on nine hits with no walks and 10 strikeouts over the three contests.

In Bucknell's home opener versus Mount St. Mary's last Thursday, Buursma played a pivotal role in the 4-3 extra-inning triumph, scoring the tying run in the bottom of the ninth and driving in the winning run in the 10th, while also logging the victory on the mound, tossing 2.1 hitless innings of relief with no walks and three strikeouts.

On Saturday against Long Island, Buursma went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a run scored and two walks. He also pitched in that contest, working 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

Then on Sunday against Delaware State, Buursma hit 3-for-8 in the doubleheader as the Bison won game two, 10-7 after dropping the opener, 12-5. He finished the day with three RBI, three runs scored, a double and a home run, improving his ranking in Bucknell's record book as the home run was his 16th of his career, tying him for ninth all-time. He also moved into the top-10 for career RBI (10th) with 88 thus far in three-plus seasons.

Buursma pitched five innings in game two against the Hornets and picked up the win after holding Delaware State to two runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He is currently second in both Bucknell's and the Patriot League's record books with a career ERA of 2.26.

On the year, Buursma is hitting .386 (17-for-44) with 14 runs scored, 12 RBI, two doubles and a league-leading five home runs. He boasts a 3-0 record on the mound with a 3.78 ERA, totaling 28 strikeouts and just five walks in 33.1 innings.

Bucknell (7-9-2) will be back in action tomorrow, Mar. 25, when the squad will play host to Clarion in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. on Depew Field.