March 29, 2014

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Playing in its first-ever Patriot League game, the Boston University softball team dropped a 9-3 decision at Army on Saturday morning. During the second contest of the doubleheader, the Terriers (14-12, 0-1 PL) owned a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth when play was halted due to heavy rain.

BU and the Black Knights (12-15, 2-2 PL) will try to resume the game and then complete the three-game series on Sunday.

Army won the first meeting between the programs since 1990 behind 12 hits with Caroline Smith (8-5) pitching a complete game. She limited the Terriers to five hits and allowed just one earned run.

Highlighted by Alee Rashenskas' bases-clearing double in the second and two-RBI double in the third, the Black Knights jumped out ahead, 7-0, against sophomore Lauren Hynes (7-8). BU tried to mount a comeback in the top of the fourth with three runs off two hits, including senior Amy Ekart's single that plated both junior Emily Felbaum and Mandy Fernandez.

The Terriers though hurt themselves with a double play balls in the second and sixth innings. Army's April Ortenzo added a two-run blast against freshman Makinna Akers in the bottom of the sixth for the final 9-3 score.

During the second game, Fernandez led off the second inning with a solo shot. Felbaum then walked and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by senior Jayme Mask. Freshman Moriah Connolly tried to reach home on the same play from second but was thrown out by the left fielder.

The Black Knights cut the deficit in half against Hynes in the bottom of the third off two hits with one out. With two runners in scoring position, Hynes got out of the jam by inducing back-to-back infield grounders.

After the final out, play was halted due to rain. If the two teams are unable to resume the series on Sunday, they will look at wrapping up on Monday (March 31).