Softball: BU Sweeps Three Game Series Against Bucknell
By Abigail Stocker
BOSTON — The Boston University softball team (40-4) stretched their win streak to 14 with three nail-biting games against Bucknell University (15-25) this weekend.
The intense series games were the second-to-last series for both the Terriers and Bison.
Kasey Ricard (18-3) started the game against the Bisons on Saturday, pitching an unrelenting hitless four innings. In the top of the fifth, Bucknell junior infielder Bella Radican singled to right field, landing the Bisons on base for the first time that game.
Junior Madison Roukey pitched a tight game with the Terriers until she threw a sloppy fifth inning, walking six BU players. The bottom of the fifth was an eventful inning for BU. Taking advantage of Roukey’s walks, the Terrier bats drove home seven runs for the team.
BU players Kayla Roncin and Kate Pryor dominated, collecting two RBIs apiece.
Two-time Patriot League Player of the Year (2022 and 2023), Roncin went a perfect three-for-three, while Caitlin Coker ended the game two-for-four.
The game had a slow finish, with Ricard allowing only one hit to the Bison during the top of the 6th. The game ended with Richard allowing two hits and no walks.
Sunday’s doubleheader began with a marathon game lasting 12 innings. Savannah Jones from Bucknell and BU’s Ricard both threw incredibly, leaving the game scoreless for hours.
In the bottom of the 12th, freshman Kylie Doherty got the first hit of the game and shortly thereafter stole second.
Teammate Kate Pryor hit to left field finding a perfect hole, moving Doherty to third and Pryor on second. Allison Boaz, after many fouls, drilled one off to left which brought Doherty home, ending the game.
After the first game of the doubleheader, Madison Roukey from Bucknell and Kasey Ricard from BU took the mound again to begin the last game of the weekend series.
Richard pitched another hitless game until the top of the fifth when Bucknell’s Radican snuck a single up the middle. Despite Radican’s efforts, three outs left her on second base.
Roukey let two hits go in the bottom of the fifth from players Lauren Keleher and Kayla Roncin, landing them on second and third. Caitlin Coker singled through the right side, allowing Keleher to get home.
The 6th inning was an intense inning played without any hits from the Terriers or the Bisons, who were both ruthless in their efforts to prevent a run.
In a last attempt to win, Bucknell fought to the bitter end with players Hilling singling to center field and Hawkins singling up the middle; however, both players were left on base, ending the game with another win for BU.
BU’s record remains the best in the Patriot League (12-0), with Lehigh being the only other Patriot League team still undefeated against in-conference opponents. This clean sweep from the Terriers during this weekend’s series adds to the confidence in the team’s abilities in the Patriot League.
BU looks to continue their streak on the road against the University of Rhode Island this coming Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on April 23rd.