Softball: Terriers split Clemson Classic

Nicole Amodio at bat against the University of Akron. The Terriers defeated Akron 15-0 in their first game of the Clemson Classic on Friday. DAWSON POWERS VIA BU ATHLETICS

By Hannah Yoshinaga 

Boston University softball split its four matchups in the Clemson Classic on Friday and Saturday, falling twice to the ninth-ranked Tigers but defeating Akron and St. Francis by significant margins.

The Terriers’ 15-0 run-rule victory against the Zips was the team’s largest winning margin since May 2, 2021, when it defeated Lafayette 17-2. BU also topped St. Francis via the run rule, limiting the Red Flash to three hits in junior pitcher Lizzy Avery’s first career solo shutout.

Avery also pitched four shutout innings in BU’s win against Akron, though she gave up nine runs combined in the Terriers’ two contests against Clemson. Junior pitcher Allison Boaz appeared in both Clemson games and gave up three runs in seven innings of work. Senior pitcher Julia Handfield threw a scoreless inning against Akron to help secure a five-inning victory but sacrificed three runs in the Terriers’ first matchup against the Tigers.

Game 1: BU defeats Akron 15-0

BU scored at least two runs in all but one inning of its five-inning defeat of Akron. The Zips managed only one hit on the afternoon, which was a single in the second inning by second baseman Madison Dudek that never materialized into anything more.

Sophomore shortstop Kayla Roncin led the Terriers with four runs on 2-of-2 hitting, in addition to two walks. Junior left fielder Emily Gant recorded three runs, while junior third baseman Caitlin Coker, senior center fielder Jen Horita, and graduate designated player Marina Sylvestri each posted two RBI.

Game 2: Clemson defeats BU 8-0

The Terrier offense struggled to get on base versus the Tigers. BU finished with four hits and two walks, both of which were drawn by sophomore catcher Lauren Nett.

Boaz successfully held off Clemson in the first, but the Tigers put up two runs in the second off a homer by designated player Marissa Guimbarda and an RBI single by catcher Aby Vieira.

In the fifth, Clemson center fielder McKenzie Clark’s single scored left fielder Sam Russ and pinch runner Carlee Shannon, extending the lead to 4-0. Pitcher Valerie Cagle doubled to left and second baseman Cammy Pereira singled shortly thereafter to push the score to 6-0.

A two-run homer by third baseman Alia Logoleo gave the Tigers eight runs, enough to walk off the game via the run rule.

Game 3: BU defeats St. Francis 8-0

Senior first baseman Nicole Amodio knocked in a first-inning grand slam to start the game off with a bang, scoring Roncin, Horita and Coker after pitcher Grace Vesco failed to record an out.

The Terriers tacked on two more runs in the third via an RBI sac fly by sophomore right fielder Lauren Keleher and a fielder’s choice that allowed Horita to score again.

A wild pitch and a throwing error in the fifth brought Amodio home, and freshman pinch hitter Tyesha Williams’ RBI single later in the inning gave BU the necessary eight-run lead for a run-rule finish.

Game 4: Clemson defeats BU 7-3

Guimbarda and Logoleo caused more trouble for the Terriers in BU’s rematch with Clemson, generating four runs in the first three innings. Guimbarda helped to score the first three runs of the game via a first-inning RBI single and a double in the third that scored Cagle and Clark. Logoleo’s third-inning single enabled pinch runner Arielle Oda to score.

Tiger shortstop Maddie Moore homered later in the inning to add on two more runs, extending Clemson’s lead to 6-0.

Facing the possibility of another run-rule ending against the Tigers in the following inning, BU quickly added a run in the top of the fourth when sophomore designated player Kate Pryor singled to score Roncin.

Amodio posted her second homer of the day in the sixth, decreasing the Terriers’ deficit to four runs.

In the bottom of the inning, Cagle doubled to bring Shannon home and put the lead at 7-2.

Entering the seventh, BU’s first two hitters recorded outs. Coker doubled and subsequently scored on an RBI single by Horita. Roncin singled to advance Horita to second, and a throwing error allowed Horita to reach third. However, Amodio grounded out in the Terriers’ final at-bat to end the game.

The Terriers head to San Diego for the first of their last two nonconference tournaments. They kick off the San Diego Classic with a matchup against California at 3 p.m. on Friday. Their other opponents include San Diego State, Utah State, UC San Diego, San Diego, Penn and Cal State Fullerton.