Softball: Terriers sweep Rider as part of opening weekend

By: Greg Levinsky

The Boston University softball team played five games this weekend at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic in Conway, SC. The Terriers went 2-3 on the weekend at the tournament hosted by Coastal Carolina University.

Let’s take a look at the five games and breakdown BU’s top performers in each.

Friday, University of Illinois-Chicago 4-3 over BU:

In a matchup of reigning conference champions, the Horizon League’s outlasted the Patriot League champs. The UIC Flames came back from one run deficits twice, ultimately walking it off in the seventh inning. BU senior second baseman Emily Morrow went 2-for-3 with an RBI and reached base a third time with a hit by pitch.

Friday, BU 8-0 over Rider:

Morrow played a key role in BU’s first win of the season, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored in a five-inning mercy rule win. Freshman Emily Gant notched her first win in the circle with the five-inning shutout. She allowed just three baserunners and struck out three. Seniors Madi Killebrew and Alexa Ponce, sophomore Marina Sylvestri and freshman AJ Huerta-Leipner collected two hits apiece. Huerta-Leipner drove in two runs, as did senior catcher Alex Heinen.

Saturday, Coastal Carolina 6-0 over BU:

BU fell behind 3-0 in the second inning, but freshman Nicole Amodio collected her first career hit in the loss. Coastal Carolina pitcher Ashley Guillette scattered four BU hits in the shutout.

Saturday, Tennessee 4-0 over BU:

By far the Terriers toughest challenge of the weekend, the Volunteers are ranked No. 8 in the country. Freshman pitcher Ashley Rogers limited BU to just three hits in the complete game shutout. Sophomore Ali DuBois pitched a strong 4.0 innings of relief for BU, allowing just one unearned run while striking out four.

Sunday, BU 8-2 over Rider:

Heinen launched BU’s first home run of the year with a solo shot in the sixth inning as the Terriers ended their weekend with the second contest of a two-game sweep of Rider. Heinen, Morrow and Ponce collected two RBIs apiece.

Up next: BU travels for five games at the Upstate Classic in Spartanburg, SC next weekend.

Greg Levinsky can be reached at glevinsk@bu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @GregLevinsky