May 18, 2012

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Gametracker (Sat. vs. Iona) | NCAA Tournament Central

BERKELEY, Calif. - Despite sophomore Megan Volpano hitting her fourth home run of the season, the Boston University softball team fell to Arkansas, 3-2, on Friday evening at the University of California's Levine-Fricke Field to open the 2012 NCAA tournament.

Dropping its first-ever meeting with the No. 2 seed Razorbacks (28-26), the No. 3 Terriers (40-15) will next face Iona on Saturday (May 19) at 8 p.m. ET. The Gaels fell to Cal, 8-0, in five innings. 

Facing a one-run deficit with two outs and runners on first and second, BU flied out to center on the final at-bat, as junior Hope McLemore improved to 2-0 with the complete-game winning performance. Forced to throw 105 pitches, she gave up seven hits and two runs while striking out six Terriers.

Volpano led BU with two hits, including her solo shot to left in the top of the sixth, while freshman Mandy Fernandez had the other RBI by bringing home junior Emily Roesch from second on a second-inning single up the middle.

Pitching three innings, sophomore Holli Floetker (19-4) allowed five hits and three runs, including one unearned, while striking out one Razorback. Junior Whitney Tuthill finished the game, posting two strikeouts and giving up four hits.   

The Terriers got on the board first in the second when Roesch doubled to right center for the 10th time this season and then scored on Fernandez's single. On the throw home, Fernandez tried to move to second but was thrown out by the Razorbacks' catcher Jayme Gee. 

Arkansas responded quickly with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Andrea Sullivan singled to deep center bringing home Chloe Oprzedek from first and then advanced to second on a defensive error. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and then scored on a double down the right field line by Gee to put the Razorbacks up for good.

BU prevented any more runs from scoring by converting on a double play. Sophomore Chelsea O'Connor made an impressive diving catch on a line drive by Tori Mort and then put out Gee at second, as she advanced to third too early.

The Terriers threatened in the top of the third, as sophomore Jayme Mask got hit by a pitch and then moved to second on a single by senior Erica Casacci. With two outs, sophomore Brittany Clendenny hit a  grounder to Arkansas' shortstop, who bobbled the ball on the ground. Recording 24 stolen bases this season, the speedy Mask rounded third and tried to score on the miscue, but Clarisa Navarro recovered in time to get the ball home for the tag out.

Arkansas came back in the bottom with what turned out to be the winning run. After allowing a single, BU tried to turn a double play but threw the ball away toward first, allowing the Razorbacks to put a runner on second. With two outs, Jennifer Rambo singled through the right side, bringing home Navarro.

Volpano cut the two-run deficit to one with her home run to left in the top of the sixth. After a lineout, O'Connor singled up the middle, but she was unable to advance, as the Terriers struck out and grounded out to third to end the inning.

BU had one last gasp in the top of the seventh. Both Mask and Casacci were hit by pitches, leaving runners on first and second with two outs. The Razorbacks though got out of the jam unharmed by inducing a fly out for the win.

Looking to avoid elimination, the Terriers own a 3-0 all-time record against Iona and last played the Gaels in a doubleheader on April 1, 1999. BU swept Iona in both games by a score of 5-0.

The winner of the contest will face either California or Arkansas immediately following. The regionals' top two squads will face off at 6 p.m. ET. 

Berkeley Regional Post-Game Press Conference Quotes

Game One – Boston University vs. Arkansas (May 18, 2012)

BU Head Coach Shawn Rychcik

Opening Statement:

“I thought we played not our best game but we played them pretty good. It took us about three or four innings to get settled in but then we got comfortable. We threw a few punches early and we got some runs on the beard but it took a few innings before we got comfortable defensively. It might have cost us an unearned run but overall I thought we played pretty well.”

On how Arkansas played:

“They are a well coached team and they have a good shortstop who made a couple plays that changed the game The throw out at home being one of those. I thought we played well. Obviously we are playing up a couple conferences and I thought our kids matched up pretty well. Our kids have had a good year. Hopefully we can keep winning and possibly play Arkansas again. I think our kids would look forward to that. With all due respect to Arkansas, I think our kids would like another opportunity to play them again in this tournament.”

On relationship with Arkansas Head Coach Mike Larabee:

“We’ve had a few games against each other while he was at Wright St. I feel like we coach pretty similar with the hit and run he called and with the score the way it was. A lot of respect for his program and I know he has worked hard. We go back to the mid 90’s with our friendship. It’s always fun coaching against your friends and he got the best of me today.”

Sophomore Infielder Megan Volpano

On general thoughts about tomorrow’s game:

“We are going to have to be fired up. After a close loss I think we are still in this tourney but we have to come out guns-a-blazing tomorrow.”

On the homerun she hit with all of her friends and family in attendance:

“Well I have to say it was pretty exciting. I know it got me fired up and I think it got my team fired up as well. It means a lot. I mean, how many people can say they hit a homerun in a regional. I think it put some fire in our bellies but we just couldn’t capitalize. I’m sure we will in the future. I’m not worried.”