May 1, 2008

Box Score

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Boston University softball team and Harvard (25-10) battled back and forth on Thursday afternoon at Soldiers Field, but the Crimson came out on top with a slim 5-4 victory. Junior Melissa Dubay drove in two runs and sophomore Rachel Hebert was 2-for-3 as the Terriers fall to 29-18 overall.

All three pitchers saw time on the mound, but sophomore Megan Currier was charged with the loss and falls to 9-8 overall. The Terriers pounded out seven hits, but Harvard's Lauren Murphy drove in a game-high three runs - including the game-winner.

Dubay got things going early with a two-run blast to center field in the first that also plated classmate Christy Leath, who had drawn a walk one-at bat earlier. In the bottom half of the frame Harvard's Ellen Macadam smacked a triple to right center and scored on a sacrifice fly out to get on the board. The Crimson knotted the game at two in the second with a solo shot to center field from Hayley Bock.

In the bottom of the third, an RBI single gave Harvard a 3-2 advantage with one out; however, the Terriers turned a double play to prevent any further runs from crossing. Junior Nora Militz's RBI single up the middle made it 3-3 in the fourth, but a lineout to first base kept the game tied.

A stand-up double in the bottom of the fourth drove in the Crimson's Caitlin Bowers to reclaim the lead for the second time in the contest. Freshman Kelley Engman recorded a strikeout to keep BU within one run and junior Shayne Lotito delivered in the fifth with a solo homer to center field. Harvard went ahead again in the fifth on a ground out to shortstop to move the score to 5-4.

In the top of the seventh BU threatened with two base runners; however, Harvard's Shelly Madick struck out struck out three straight to secure the victory.

BU will now head to Albany for the regular-season finale with the Great Danes. First pitch is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The Terriers need to win one game to secure the regular-season championship and home field advantage in the America East tournament.