Softball: Terriers Win in Extra Inning Game and in Darkness-Shortened Game in Sweep of Harvard

By Brendan Galvin

It took one extra inning in Game 1 and two fewer innings in Game 2, but Boston University Softball earned a sweep in their doubleheader against Harvard on Tuesday, winning 5-4 and 3-1.

In Game 1, junior infielder Kayla Roncin had a huge day from the plate, bringing in the team’s first four runs on her three-run home run in the third followed by a single in the fifth. Roncin continued her stellar season, as she now boasts an impressive .474 batting average, totaling just five strikeouts in 135 at-bats. 

The Terriers (33-17, 6-0 PL) headed into the top of the sixth with a 4-2 lead, but Harvard (18-11-1, 9-3) senior infielder Teagan Shaw hit a two-run home run to tie the game. After a scoreless bottom of the sixth and seventh inning, the game headed to extras. 

In the top of the eighth, senior pitcher Allison Boaz faced a jam with a runner on third with only one out. However, the veteran pitcher fanned the next batter and then got the next batter to ground out, giving the Terriers a chance to win in the bottom of the eighth. 

After freshman infielder Brooke Deppiesse moved a runner to third via a fielder’s choice, junior infielder Lauren Nett brought in the winning run on a hard ground ball that the Crimson shortstop was unable to handle. The stands at the BU Softball field erupted as the Terriers hung on to win Game 1 of the doubleheader. 

Harvard took a 2-0 lead early to open the day after two RBI singles gave the Crimson the lead in the second inning. Terrier freshman Kasey Ricard replaced starting pitcher senior Lizzy Avery and shut down the Harvard offense quickly. 

Ricard allowed one hit and two earned runs through five innings on the mound before Boaz came in during the seventh. Boaz picked up her 15th win on the season, continuing her strong campaign. 

In Game 2 of the doubleheader, it was a quick first three innings, with no runs scored and only four hits between the two teams. 

However, in the top of the fourth, Harvard finally got on the board first with junior infielder Molly Dickerson bringing home a run on a single up the middle. 

The Terriers quickly answered back, scoring two in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore outfielder Tyesha Williams singled with the bases loaded to open the scoring for BU, and junior outfielder Lauren Keleher walked with the bases loaded a few batters later to give the Terriers a 2-1 lead. 

After a scoreless fifth from the Crimson, BU added to their lead with a single to left field from Nett, giving the Terriers a two-run lead. 

After the conclusion of the fifth inning, however, the umpires called the game due to darkness. The BU Softball field has no lights, and the umpires deemed it unsafe to continue playing. 

Boaz, in Game 2, picked up right where she left off in Game 1, continuing to mow down Harvard’s offense. Boaz conceded five hits, and one earned run, striking out five in five innings of work. 

Graduate outfielders Emily Gant and Williams both added multi-hit games, as well. 

The Terriers now carry a 13-game win streak into a weekend series against conference foe Bucknell. They will play two games on Saturday, starting at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., and a game on Sunday to close out the series at 12 p.m.