March 2, 2013
Box Scores: UC Riverside (L, 2-0) | #17 Arizona (L, 4-1)
TUCSON, Ariz. - Continuing the 2013 Wildcat Invitational, the Boston University softball team dropped a 2-0 pitchers' duel to UC Riverside before falling to No. 17 Arizona, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.
In the first game, the Highlanders (7-10) rode the arm of Alyssa Razo to victory. She allowed just three hits in the complete game shutout and left two Terriers on base when recording the final out in the game. The Wildcats (13-5) jumped out in front with three runs in the first inning and held on for its second win of the weekend against the Terriers (2-7).
Senior Whitney Tuthill (2-4) started both contests in the circle for BU and pitched a combined 11 innings, striking out six batters and allowing six runs with only three of them earned. She gave up four hits to the Highlanders but the defense committed three errors, including two in the fourth that led to both of UC Riverside's runs.
After the first two Highlanders got on base due to errors, Tuthill then walked the next batter to load the bases. On the next at-bat, she induced a grounder to get a force out at home, but on the next play, UC Riverside got a fielder's choice by Dionne Anderson to score two runs.
After replacing Tuthill in the circle at the top of the sixth inning, freshman pitcher Lauren Hynes broke up Razo's no-hitter bid with a single to left. However, Razo then got the strikeout and lineout double play to move to the seventh.
The Terriers applied more pressure in the seventh against Razo with junior Jayme Mask singling up the middle. She was replaced at first following a fielder's choice by senior Emily Roesch, who then advanced to second on a single by junior Megan Volpano. Razo's arm proved too strong though, as she got out of the jam with an infield pop up and grounder to first to win the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The second contest of the weekend against the Wildcats proved to be eerily similar to the first with Arizona's offense again opening the game with three runs. Hallie Wilson tripled to left and then after Chelsea Suitos' walk scored on a double by Brigette Del Ponte. A defensive error on a sacrifice fly to the outfield allowed two more runs to score and put a runner at second with one out. Arizona was unable to create any more damage, as Tuthill got the strikeout and an infield pop up.
BU tried to respond in the second with sophomore Manny Fernandez reaching first on an error and then advancing to third on junior Amy Ekart's double. Fernandez ran home on a grounder to third but the throw was perfect to the catcher for the tag out. Shelby Babcock (7-2) then induced a second grounder for the third out.
The Terriers got on the board in the fourth but again stranded two runners. Volpano walked and moved to third on junior Brittany Clendenny's double. BU then loaded the bases with Fernandez reaching first on a wild pitch by Babcock. Ekart followed with a fielder's choice to third to bring home Volpano and earn the RBI. Babcock then induced the strikeout and grounder to second to get out of the jam.
Babcock allowed just three hits in seven innings with one walk while striking out eight Terriers. Tuthill finished with three strikeouts against four walks and six hits.
BU will conclude the three-day event on Sunday (March 3) against UC Riverside with action set to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
