Hardy Leads Softball Past Binghamton, 7-4
April 23, 2006 | Softball
BOSTON – The Boston University softball team used the strong pitching of freshman Cassidy Hardy and a five-run first inning to rally past Binghamton University, 7-4, on Sunday at the BU Softball Field. Sophomore Tyler Benson (Tucson, Ariz.) and freshman Brooke Hudson (La Porte, Texas) led the way on offense with two RBI apiece. With the win, the Terriers took the weekend series, 2-1, and improved their record to 22-23, 8-6 AE.
For the third consecutive game, the Bearcats opened the top of the first with a pair of runs. Hardy struck out the leadoff batter, but Binghamton loaded the bases quickly with an infield single, a hit batter and a walk. Two more batters would walk in runs before Hardy got out of the jam.
The Terriers stormed right back with five runs in the bottom of the first behind RBI singles by Benson, senior Liz Alley (Aurora, Colo.) and Hudson.
With the run support, Hardy quickly settled down to throw four consecutive scoreless innings, going in order in the second and fourth.
Binghamton made it close in the top of the sixth inning when Mia Bieman lined a two-run homerun off the batting cage in left field.
The Terriers wasted no time getting the two runs back in the bottom of the sixth when freshman Melissa Dubay (Auburn, Wash.) crushed an opposite field homerun on the first pitch of the inning. She deposited Binghamton pitcher Katie Hansen’s pitch deep to right field for her fourth homerun of the season. The next batter, sophomore Molly Gallagher (Reading Mass.), walked and stole second base before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hudson. Benson picked up her second RBI of the day with a single up the middle to give the Terriers a three-run lead.
Hardy had no problems in the seventh as she took the Bearcats in order to seal the victory. She allowed three runs on two hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings of work. With the win, she improves to 12-8 on the season with a team best 3.16 ERA.
The Terriers head to the University of Maine on Wednesday, April 26, to take on the Black Bears. The teams are currently tied one game apiece in the season series. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m.
