Softball: Terriers Shut Out Harvard with Late-Inning Surge, 2-0

By Abigail Stocker

BOSTON – The Boston University Softball Team (30-15, 10-2 PL) wrapped up its eight-game homestand with a 2-0 win over in-state rival Harvard University (20-11, 9-6 Ivy) on Tuesday. 

In her first complete game since February, freshman pitcher Danika Nell shut out the Crimson, allowing just three hits and striking out five over seven innings.

“I was really, really proud of Danika. We needed another arm, and I think Danika came out today,” BU Head Coach Ashley Waters said. “She’s worked back from injury … We did a really good job playing behind her.”

The game opened with a scoreless first inning. BU’s defense was sharp — not allowing any Harvard players on base — while Harvard’s pitcher Nicolette Hunter kept BU from breaking through.

In the second inning, Nell struck out infielder Maya Douglas. The Crimson then grounded out twice, ending the top half. 

BU struggled to find rhythm offensively, as junior pitcher Olivia Delong grounded out, and freshman infielder Kieren McHugh struck out. Senior outfielder Tyesha Williams lined out to shortstop, ending the inning scoreless.

The third inning followed a familiar script, with Harvard going quietly on a strikeout and two groundouts. But BU found a spark in the bottom half when sophomore infielder Kyomi Apalit ripped a single into right field to break up the rhythm.

A bunt from sophomore infielder Livia Christopher moved Apalit to second base, but BU couldn’t capitalize. Freshman catcher Addie Lucier and sophomore outfielder Kylie Doherty both made outs, leaving Apalit stranded at third.

In the top of the fourth, Harvard’s outfielder Audrey Szollosi lined out to third but couldn’t land on base. Infielder Sophie Sun singled to shortstop but was stranded after catcher Alexa Muller struck out and outfielder Savannah Fitzpatrick popped one up. 

The Terriers continued to struggle at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, with freshman outfielder Camryn Lyons grounding out, junior infielder Megan Coyle lining out and Delong striking out to end the frame. 

Harvard came up empty in the fifth with two groundouts and a strikeout. BU got sophomore outfielder Sophie Naivar on base with a walk, but couldn’t get her past second, ending the inning scoreless.

Nell struck out the side in the sixth, and that momentum finally translated to offense for the Terriers. Lucier opened the bottom half with a walk, and Doherty launched a two-run homer to straightaway center to give BU the lead.

“I think it was a tough weekend for her, so that one had to feel good,” Waters said. “Good for Addie for getting on base before.”

Harvard tried to make one last push in the top of the seventh but couldn’t score, ending the game with a 2-0 victory for the Terriers.

Nell’s steady presence in the circle helped BU play clean behind her — a key difference-maker after defensive miscues plagued the team in its weekend series against Army.

“We were sharp on defense, and we made the plays we needed to,” Waters said. “We didn’t do that this weekend, and we did that tonight, so it’s great.”

With the win, BU improves to a perfect 10-0 against in-state opponents this season — a point of pride for the program, though Waters said the goal always extends beyond the state.

“For us, we take a lot of pride in being a team from Massachusetts who can compete,” she said. “But the game is the game. Regardless of what state, we’re looking for the W at the end of the day.”

The Terriers will now hit the road for a weekend Patriot League series game at Lehigh. First pitch for both games is at 12 p.m., with streaming available on ESPN+.