Softball Set for Showdown with Albany
May 2, 2008 | Softball
May 2, 2008
BOSTON - The Boston University softball team squares off in a three-game series with Albany this weekend to determine the regular-season champion and top seed in the America East tournament. The Terriers are two games ahead of the Great Danes and need to win one contest to clinch home-field advantage in the post-season tourney for the second consecutive year. BU enters with a 29-18 overall record and 15-3 America East mark, while UA is 29-15 and 13-5 in conference action. First pitch is set for Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 p.m.
Albany, winner of six of its last eight games, is currently 10th in the nation in triples per game, with Amber Maisonet leading the way with five. She also leads the team in batting average (.378), walks (18) and stolen bases (24), while Michelle Connors and Meagan Butsch have recorded highs for RBI (28). In the circle, Leah McIntosh owns a 1.84 ERA and 13-5 record, while Marissa Powell is 12-9 with a 3.16 ERA.
The Terriers are looking to secure back-to-back regular-season championships for the second time in program history. BU first accomplished the feat from 2001-03, when it claimed three straight titles and made two NCAA tournament trips.
BU has won six of its last nine games, but is coming off a tough 5-4 loss to Harvard on Thursday. In the back-and-forth contest, the Terriers and Crimson jockeyed for the lead; however, a run on a one-out ground out proved to be the difference maker.
Freshman April Setterlund is the league-leading offense's top batter with a .367 average and junior Melissa Dubay is close behind with a .365 clip and team highs for RBI (31), home runs (7) and triples (2). Junior Shayne Lotito has shown her speed along the base paths, successfully swiping 17 bags this season, while classmate Brooke Hudson is one double away from tying a single-season record for two-baggers (12).
On the mound, sophomore Cassidi Hardy owns a 2.03 ERA and a 14-5 record. She is one of three hurlers in the America East with an unblemished record in league games and the only pitcher to hold nine conference wins. Hardy has held America East batters to a .142 average in 11 appearances and has struck out 65.
The Terriers' defense has also been sterling this season, ranking fourth nationally in double plays per game (0.48), while leading the conference in fielding percentage (.973) and double plays (23).
The America East Championship will take place at the top-seeded team's field from May 8-10.
