Softball Blanks Stony Brook, Clinches AE Tourney Bid
May 7, 2006 | Softball
STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Shayne Lotito went 3-4 and Cassidi Hardy threw a complete game four-hit shutout to lead the Boston University softball team to a 2-0 win over Stony Brook in the regular-season finale for both clubs. By virtue of the victory, the Terriers clinched a berth in next week’s America East Tournament, at Maine. BU will be the no. 4 seed and take on the host Black Bears on Thursday, May 11. The Terriers improved to 26-27 overall, 11-10 in the America East. SBU, which would have seized the no. 4 seed had it won, fell to 25-25, 10-10.
The Terriers scored all the runs they would need in the first inning. Lotito led off the frame with a single and hustled to third on Tyler Benson’s single to right. Junior 2B Brandi Shields lined out to Sea Wolf pitcher Angela Andrews, but Andrews threw the ball away trying to double up Lotito at third. Lotito trotted home with the first run of the game and gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead.
Stony Brook threatened in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with one out on two walks and a single against Hardy. Marissa Fleury flied out to left, and Ashley Westphal apparently came home on the sacrifice fly to tie the game. However, BU successfully appealed that Westphal had left third early, and the Stony Brook rally was snuffed.
The Terriers doubled their advantage in the top of the fourth when Melissa Dubay scored from first on Molly Gallagher’s RBI double off the top of the fence.
Meanwhile, Hardy gelled after her first inning struggles, allowing just two more hits in her next five innings. In the bottom of the seventh, she retired the first two Sea Wolf batters before Kelly Oberto singled and Laura Bradford walked, bringing the winning run to the plate. Hardy rebounded nicely, however, striking out Kelsi Fanelli to end the game and propel the Terriers to the America East Tournament.
Lotito led the BU seven-hit attack, going 3-4 with a run scored. Hardy (15-10), tossed her 19th complete game of the season, as she walked four and struck out nine. It was her fifth shutout. Andrews was the tough-luck loser for SBU, allowing just one earned run in seven innings, while striking out five.
The double elimination America East Tournament begins Thursday, May 11, in Orono, Maine, when BU faces Maine and UMBC takes on Albany. The winner of the event earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. BU has participated in the last three America East Tournaments and last advanced to the NCAAs in 2003.
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