March 22, 2011

Box Score

BOSTON - Despite two doubles from freshman Amy Ekart, the Boston University softball team (12-8) lost a 2-1 decision to Harvard (9-8) on Tuesday afternoon in the home opener at BU Softball Field.

Ekart went 2-for-3 with two doubles. The freshman catcher has really hit her stride inside the batter's box over the last week, hitting at a .500 clip in five games with four multiple hit games.

Junior Kayla Kruper scored the Terriers' lone run on the afternoon, coming in as a pinch runner after freshman Brittany Clendenny had drawn a walk in the first at-bat of the second frame.

A trio of hurlers handled pitching duties in the circle, with sophomore Whitney Tuthill getting the start. She went two innings, allowing one earned run on two hits. Sophomore transfer Erin Schuppert came in for the middle frames and was charged with the loss as the game-winning run was scored in the fifth. In her three innings of work, Schuppert struck out four batters and surrendered one earned run. Freshman Holli Floetker came in for the final two innings and allowed just two base runners as she struck out two and gave up two hits.

Harvard got on the board immediately as it scored in the first on an infield hit. The Terriers went scoreless until the fourth despite a valiant effort from Ekart. In the second, the rookie catcher had ripped a double to right center and then advanced to third when classmate Megan Volpano grounded out to second base. A fielder's choice on the next at-bat put her out at home.

In the fourth, her efforts paid off as she unleashed another two-bagger, this time to down the left line, which put runners on second and third. Volpano then picked up the RBI as she once again turned in a productive at-bat, this time plating Kruper on a ground out. On the next at-bat, Tuthill reached on a fielder's choice, and Ekart got caught in a rundown, and was tagged out right as she threw herself toward home plate.

Harvard struck the final blow in the fifth, as Lange tripled down the right line to bring the game-winning run home.

The Terriers will look to rebound this weekend as they open conference action at Stony Brook on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m., while the third contest will begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday.