Softball: Terriers Snap 34-Game Conference Winning Streak, Split Doubleheader at Home

By Jose Rodriguez 

Boston – The Boston University Softball Team (26-20, 9-2 PL) split a doubleheader against Army West Point (29-14, 10-1 PL) Saturday.

The Terriers won the opener 4-1 behind a complete game from junior pitcher Kasey Ricard, but fell 10-1 in the second game by mercy rule. The loss snapped BU’s 34-game Patriot League winning streak.

Ricard pitched all seven innings, allowing just one unearned run and six hits. Army’s pitcher, Brenna Izzo, took the loss, after giving up four earned runs on four hits through three innings.

BU struck early when freshman left fielder Camryn Lyons hit a two-run single down the first base line in the first inning. Lyons advanced to second on an error by right fielder Maisi Sigler. 

Freshman shortstop Addie Lucier then came to bat but lined out to left fielder Sienna Tepley to end the inning.

“Kasey throws a zero in the first inning and then we go back out. That sets the tone for the rest of the game,” said BU Assistant Head Coach Allie Brewster. 

Sophomore third baseman Kyomi Apalit started the second inning with a base hit to center field, followed by a bunt from sophomore catcher Livia Christopher. Izzo’s throw sailed into right field, advancing both runners.

After a force out at home, junior second baseman Brooke Deppiesse struck out to end the inning.

Army West Point threatened in the third when Tepley delivered a base hit to center field, followed by a bunt from infielder Annie Christiana. 

The Black Knights’ catcher Emma Murchison hit a sacrifice fly to left, cutting BU’s lead to 2-1, but Ricard struck out junior Ashton White to escape the inning.

In the fourth, Army West Point had a player on base again to start the inning. The Terriers aimed to turn a double play, but Lucier threw the ball to center field instead. 

Two Black Knights reached base, and Sigler grounded out to first base, moving the runners into scoring position. 

Lucier walked to start the bottom half and advanced on a wild pitch. Apalit then delivered an RBI triple, and Christopher followed with an RBI single to give BU a 4-1 lead. The Terriers loaded the bases but failed to add more runs.

Army put two runners on in the fifth but failed to convert. In the seventh, the Black Knights threatened again, placing two on with third baseman Ashton White representing the tying run. With the count full, White struck out looking to end the game.

Sophomore infielder Kyomi Apalit recorded two hits for the Terriers, while Coyle, Lyons and Christopher each recorded one hit. 

In the second game, the Black Knights used a five-run fifth inning to secure a 10-1 win and salvage the split.

“We have an opportunity to come back tomorrow,” Brewster said. “I don’t think we played like ourselves in game two, and we have an opportunity to show what BU softball is in game three.”

Black Knights starting pitcher Katelyn Flanders pitched five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while walking two batters. Freshman pitcher Ava Johnson took the loss for the Terriers, dropping to 4-2 for the season. 

Army West Point started strong in the first inning, with its first two batters reaching base before advancing on a wild pitch.

White followed with a sacrifice fly to right, and infielder Caitlyn Newburn grounded out to short to bring in another run, giving the Black Knights a 2-0 advantage.

BU made an early pitching change, turning to freshman Danika Nell to replace Johnson. Nell ended the inning with a strikeout.

The Terriers threatened in the bottom of the first. With two outs and a runner on, freshman designated player Kieren McHugh singled to right and advanced to second on a fielding error by Sigler, putting two in scoring position.

After a scoreless second inning, the Black Knights put runners on the corners with no outs. White reached on a fielder’s choice, and second baseman Brooke Deppiesse threw home to cut down Christiana at the plate. 

The Black Knights eventually loaded the bases with two outs, and Hurst lined a single to center to score one. Catcher Tayten Moore then drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the lead to 4-0.

McHugh continued to produce at the plate, knocking in BU’s only run of the game with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 4-1.

Army responded quickly. With two runners in scoring position and one out in the fourth, BU again threw out a runner at the plate, but the Black Knights still pushed across another run, making it 5-1.

The game broke open in the fifth. Army strung together five consecutive hits and capitalized on two BU errors, scoring five runs to invoke the mercy rule.

“We just didnt play like ourselves,” Brewster said. “That’s not us on defense or on offense. That’s why we’re going to focus on just cleaning it up tomorrow.”

For Army West Point, Christina, Brown and Newburn each recorded three hits, combining for nine hits overall, while five different Black Knights recorded at least one hit. For BU, McHugh had a two-hit game, and the trio of Depiesse, Christopher and Williams each contributed one hit.

BU will look to rebound in Sunday’s series finale at noon in a pivotal matchup for first place in the Patriot League.