Softball: Roncin’s Home Run Enough as Terriers Sneak By UCONN, 1-0

By Brendan Galvin

Junior shortstop Kayla Roncin’s solo home run in the fourth inning was all the Boston University Softball team needed in their Wednesday afternoon game against the University of Connecticut, coming out on top 1-0. 

The Terriers (23-7) were held in check most of the game by UConn (17-10), but Roncin was able to put one out of left-center field to put the Terriers up. Roncin totaled two of BU’s hits, reaching base on a single in the sixth. 

“Kayla is one of the best hitters to come through this program and may be one of the best I’ve ever seen,” BU Head Coach Ashley Waters said after the game. “She’s a really tough out, and she steps up in big moments. Tonight was a really big moment.”

On the defensive side, starting pitcher senior Allison Boaz continued her strong start to the season, picking up her 11th win of the season. Boaz gave up four hits through six innings, striking out four and walking three. 

“(Boaz) did a great job just commanding the zone,” Waters said. “They went deep in counts on her, and she kept executing pitches.”

After Boaz threw 104 pitches, freshman pitcher Kasey Ricard came in relief in the top of the seventh, looking for her second save of the year. 

After a flyout and strikeout, with runners on first and second and a 3-2 count, Ricard delivered a pitch low and away for a called third strike, clinching the Terrier win. 

For the Huskies, freshman pitcher Hope Jenkins shut down the Terrier offense all day, conceding only three hits and one walk. Striking out seven, Jenkins had her way with the BU hitters. 

“We need to adjust and have a bit more competitive at-bats; I feel like we had some throwaway at-bats,” Waters said. 

“We’re relying on (the first three hitters in the order), and that’s really tough and a lot of pressure on them. I need (the last six hitters) to step up and show up,” Waters said.

The Terriers finally open up conference play after 30 non-conference games and a bye in the opening week of conference play. BU will travel to Worcester to play Holy Cross in a weekend series kicking off on Saturday, April 1. 

“I feel like I was missing out last weekend,” Waters said. “We’re excited and ready to play. We need that, next season, next chapter, and a reset.”