Softball: BU Looks to Bounce Back Against Harvard Crimson

By Jose Rodriguez 

The Boston University Softball Team (29-15) is gearing up for Tuesday afternoon as they face off against their Charles River rivals, the Harvard Crimson (20-10).

After a challenging weekend where BU managed just one win in a three-game series against Army West Point, the Terriers are eager to reset and reclaim their momentum heading into the matchup with Harvard. 

The series featured two close losses to the Black Knights in a competitive Patriot League showdown.

Despite the setbacks, BU has a strong track record against Harvard, winning the last five meetings and 13 of the past 16 since 2009. The Terriers have historically dominated the rivalry, claiming 30 of 45 matchups dating back to their first meeting in 1989.

The Crimson, meanwhile, is also looking to build on recent recovery. After dropping two of three games to Brown University over the weekend, the Crimson closed the series with a convincing win, reminding opponents of their offensive and pitching depth.

On the offensive front, the Terriers are powered by junior infielder Brooke Deppiesse, who’s been a force at the plate all season. She leads the team with a .426 batting average, five home runs and 30 RBIs.

Earlier this spring, Brooke Deppiesse put together an impressive 21-game hitting streak, starting with BU’s 13-1 win over Presbyterian College on March 7 and ending on April 9 against Boston College, when she went hitless in three at-bats. 

During the streak, Deppiesse notched multiple hits in 15 games, consistently anchoring the Terriers’ offense.

Supporting her in the lineup are sophomore outfielder Kylie Doherty, sophomore infielder Libby Walsh and junior infielder Megan Coyle — all batting above .300.

Walsh, a transfer from Arizona State, found her rhythm last month with a 13-game hitting streak that began with her first home run as a Terrier on March 8 against Winthrop University. 

Coyle has been an everyday contributor, appearing in all 44 games and driving in a team-high 46 runs. She had a breakout performance on April 4 against Holy Cross, tallying seven RBIs in BU’s 11-1 victory.

The Terriers’ pitching staff is led by junior Kasey Ricard. Despite a tough outing against Army last weekend, she remains a pillar of consistency.  Ricard holds a 20-9 record with 27 starts in 31 appearances, notching 20 complete games.

Ricard has fanned 185 batters in 196.2 innings this season and reached a career milestone earlier this year with her 600th strikeout as a Terrier.

Harvard counters with standout hitter Sophie Sun, who enters the game batting .402 with a team-leading seven home runs. Sun is currently on a five-game hitting streak and previously recorded an 11-game streak earlier this season.

The Crimson boast depth at the plate, with six additional players hitting above .300. Their pitching staff, anchored by Nicolette Hunter and Riley Flynn, has been reliable throughout the season. 

Hunter enters with an 8-2 record and five complete games over 67.2 innings, while Flynn is 6-2 with two complete games in 73 innings. Together, they’ve racked up 93 strikeouts, forming a formidable one-two punch.

Fans can look forward to an exhilarating first pitch, scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at the BU Softball Field.