Softball: Terriers Win Patriot League Tournament for Third Year in a Row
By Haydée Cepeda
BOSTON – The Boston University Softball Team (39-17) defeated the Army West Point Black Knights (35-22) in a 3-2 victory Sunday, clinching its third consecutive Patriot League Tournament title.
“We’ve had bumps and bruises along the way. We’ve had injuries. We’ve faced adversity,” BU Head Coach Ashley Waters said. “I feel like every obstacle that could have been in our way was in our way, and I honestly think in the end that is what turned out to be the reason for our success.”
Sunday marked BU’s fifth matchup against the Black Knights this season, following one win and two losses in April.
The Terriers’ championship win capped a dominant Saturday, when they defeated Lehigh 1-0 in the tournament opener and shut out Army 8-0 in the semifinals.
The Black Knights struck early in the final, scoring the game’s two runs in the first inning. First at bat for Army was outfielder Annie Christiana, who hit a single to left field. Infielder Taylor Brown then hit a home run, allowing both of them to score early on in the game.
Army West Point was unable to score again, with infielder Ashton White striking out, infielder Leila Hurst flying out and outfielder Breanna Coonfare striking out to end the inning.
The Terriers struggled offensively in the early innings. In the bottom of the first, junior infielder Brooke Deppiesse recorded the only hit, which was a fly ball.
Neither team was able to score for three innings. In the bottom of the third, not one Terrier saw a base with three back-to-back outs.
BU’s junior infielder Megan Coyle was able to get a walk in the bottom of the fourth, but the Terriers remained scoreless.
Army failed to extend its lead, despite a fifth-inning single from White. A foul out from catcher Caitlyn Newburn, a pop-up from Hurst and a fly out from catcher Emma Murchison ended the threat.
In the bottom of the fifth, BU broke through. Deppiesse singled to the left side, sparking a three-run rally.
Freshman catcher Addie Lucier scored on a throwing error, sophomore catcher Livia Christopher scored unearned and Deppiesse scored, giving the Terriers a 3-2 lead.
“I think Brooke is the best player in this league,” Waters said. “I shifted around the order a little bit, and I was hoping that we’d get lucky by doing that, and it could not have worked out better.”
Freshman pitcher Danika Nell, making her postseason debut, held Army scoreless through six innings, preserving BU’s lead.
“Danika is incredible, and no one’s even gotten to see her at her best,” Waters said. “I could not be more proud. The guts to be working on a recovery from a stress fracture … it’s unbelievable to see what she just did.”
The Terriers’ defense held strong, stranding Army baserunners through the final two innings. Despite tallying eight hits, the Black Knights were held to their two-point homer in the first, and BU came out on top.
“Those kids work really hard to get where they are, so just super proud,” Waters said. “I just want them to be able to sit in a moment and actually get to see their name and realize all the pain, all the struggle, all the adversity, it was worth it.”
The University of Oklahoma earned the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, the selection committee announced Sunday. The Sooners will host Omaha, California and BU in the Norman Regional at Love’s Field beginning Friday.
Riding the momentum of their Patriot League title, the Terriers will open regional play against Oklahoma at 5 p.m. Friday. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.