Softball: Terriers Extend their Conference Winning Streak to 32 Games

By Jose Rodriguez 

WORCESTER, Mass. — The Boston University Softball Team (24-11) dominated Holy Cross in a doubleheader Friday, winning the first game 1-1 and taking the nightcap 6-1. 

Junior first baseman Megan Coyle powered the Terriers in game one, going 1 for 2 with a grand slam and seven RBIs. 

“Offense was hot in the first game,” BU Head Coach Ashley Waters said. “We did a really good job of being patient and passing the bat and getting a lot of people up.”

Junior pitcher Kasey Ricard earned the win, improving to 15-7 in the season. She allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters over four innings.

For Holy Cross, pitcher Sophia Roncone took the loss. In five innings, she gave up nine hits and 11 runs — 10 of them earned. She walked six, struck out two and hit two batters.

BU opened the game with a five-run first inning. After loading the bases with no outs, Coyle launched a grand slam on a 2-1 pitch. One batter later, junior designated player Olivia DeLong homered to right-center, extending the lead to 5-0. 

“That was such a special moment for Megan,” Waters said. “You love to see someone succeed when they’ve worked really hard at something. It’s a cool moment for her.” 

In the second inning, freshman left fielder Camryn Lyons walked, and sophomore center fielder Kyle Doherty struck out. 

Junior second baseman Brooke Deppiesse also walked, setting up sophomore shortstop Libby Walsh, who ripped a two-run double to right center. Coyle followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Lyons to make it 8-0.

The Terriers loaded the bases again in the third and tacked on two more runs — one on a bases-loaded walk to Walsh and another on Coyle’s groundout.

Holy Cross got on the board in the fourth when shortstop Anna Brait singled, followed by designated player Jordan Goedel walking. 

With two outs, first baseman Maya Gallagher knocked an infield single to score a run, cutting the deficit to 10-1. 

Ricard shut the door from there, and BU scored once more in the fifth to end the game early via the mercy rule.

A three-run second inning set the tone for BU in game two, as the Terriers completed the sweep with a 6-1 win.

Ricard came on in relief to earn her 16th victory of the season. In four innings, she gave up two hits and one unearned run, walked two and struck out two. 

For Holy Cross, Avery Toodings took the loss, after giving up seven hits and four runs, walking three batters and striking out two over the course of innings.

After a scoreless first inning, BU capitalized on a second-inning error to start the scoring. DeLong reached a misplay by Toodings. With one out, Lucier then laid down a perfect bunt to put two runners on.

Lyons singled to right to bring home the game’s first run. With runners on the corners, Lyons stole second, and Doherty followed with an RBI single to left. 

“In the second game, they struggled a little bit more with the off-speed,” Waters said. “But, it was a good day from an offensive perspective, and I thought defense showed up. They played really well.” 

Freshman Ava Johnson started in the circle and pitched three scoreless innings before Ricard took over in the fourth, retiring the side on just seven pitches.

The Terriers added one more run in the sixth inning. Junior outfielder Aimee Metz walked, and Doherty doubled to right field, placing runners on bases with no outs. 

Deppiese then grounded out to second baseman Ava Gambichler, allowing Metz to score while Doherty advanced to third. 

BU added two more runs in the seventh to put the game away. Doherty, Deppiesse, and Lyons all had multi-hit games, while four different Crusaders recorded one hit apiece.

BU will be looking for the three-game sweep over the Crusaders Sunday at 1 p.m. in Worchester.