Softball: BU Secures Turnpike Trophy Sweep

By Ethan Pott

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Boston University Softball Team (25-11) won the third and final Turnpike Trophy game of the year against Holy Cross (6-23) Sunday.

The Terriers entered into the game looking to follow up a dominant doubleheader sweep of the Crusaders Friday. 

BU struck early Sunday, jumping on Holy Cross starting pitcher Sophia Roncone in the top of the first inning. Junior second baseman Brooke Deppiesse, who leads the team with a .500 on-base percentage, drew a four-pitch walk to set the table.

With two outs, junior first baseman Megan Coyle launched a home run to right field, driving in two runs. The hit marked her fourth of the season and increased her team-leading RBI total to 36.

Kasey Ricard, the Terriers’ ace starting pitcher, set down the first seven Crusader batters she faced.

Still, Holy Cross catcher Emma Fong managed to single and advance to second in the bottom of the third. Ricard recorded a strikeout to end the frame.

BU added to its lead in the fifth, as sophomore shortstop Libby Walsh singled. 

Junior designated player Olivia DeLong, who entered the game with a 1.554 OPS over her last seven appearances, delivered in the clutch. Her two-out RBI double scored Walsh, giving the Terriers a 3-0 advantage.

The Crusaders responded in the bottom half of the inning. Fong reached base again with a walk. With two outs, junior center fielder Ali Sniegocki singled to move Fong into scoring position.

Senior third baseman Callie Thibault followed with an RBI single to left, plating Fong for the Crusaders’ lone run. 

Ricard then pitched herself into a jam. Crusader shortstop Anna Brait walked to load the bases, but Ricard was able to avoid further damage as she induced a pop up to Walsh.

BU looked to add more in the sixth. Freshman left fielder Camryn Lyons doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Freshman infielder Kieren McHugh came in as a pinch hitter and hit a fly ball to the outfield. Lyons tagged from third but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. 

The Terriers sealed the win in the top of the seventh with a four-hit rally. Sophomore center fielder Kylie Doherty and Deppiesse started the frame with back-to-back singles, forcing the Crusaders to replace Roncone with reliever Avery Toddings.

Walsh completed her third hit of the day with another single to load the bases. 

DeLong again came through, delivering a base hit to drive in Doherty and Deppiesse and extend the lead to 5-1. 

Senior outfielder Tyesha Williams entered the game as a pinch runner for DeLong and quickly stole second. 

Toddings then hit Terrier freshman catcher Addie Lucier with a pitch, reloading the bases. A wild pitch followed, scoring Walsh and advancing the other runners.

Lyons walked to load the bases for a third time in the inning, but Toddings induced back-to-back flyouts to avoid further damage.

Trailing 6-1, the Crusaders failed in their final chance to rally. Ricard finished strong, allowing just one baserunner — Sniegocki — over the final seven hitters. 

Sniegocki singled in the seventh, making her the only Crusader to record multiple hits in the game.

BU now looks towards a highly anticipated matchup: a crosstown matchup against Boston College on Tuesday at 4 p.m. BU has won seven straight against its longtime rival and will look to extend that streak in Chestnut Hill.