NC State Holds Off BU, 9-6, in FAU Kick-Off Classic Finale

Sunday, February 12

Boca Raton, FL

9 AM

Boston University

2-2

North Carolina State

2-3

Boston Univ.

NC State

Photo by: Justin Lafleur

NC State Holds Off BU, 9-6, in FAU Kick-Off Classic Finale

February 12, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Despite recording 14 hits, the Boston University softball team was unable to overcome NC State's seven-run third-inning performance and ended the FAU Kick-Off Classic with a 9-6 loss on Sunday morning. Down by as many as five runs, the gritty Terriers brought the game-tying run to the plate twice in the seventh inning against the ACC member.

THE RUNDOWN

Final Score: NC State - 9, Boston University - 6
Records: NCSU (2-3), BU (2-2)
WP: Silverman (1-2, 4.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R/ER, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP)
SV: Hubbard (1, 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB)
LP: Overly (0-1, 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R/ER, 1 K, 2 BB)
BU Leaders: Martinez (3-4 AB, 3R, 1 2B), Heinen (3-4 AB, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B), Schanda (3-4 AB, 2 RBI, 1 2B), Connolly (2-4 AB, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB)
NCSU Leaders: Ross (3-3 AB, 1 RBI, 2 R, 2 SB), Balzer (1-4 AB, 3 RBI, 1 HR), Hutchison (1-3 AB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B)

THE TURNING POINT

Facing a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the third, the Wolf Pack's bats came alive following two hitless innings with seven runs off nine hits against four BU pitchers, including a two-run homer and pair of RBI doubles.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Sophomore Alex Heinen put BU on the board in the first with a two-out RBI single that plated senior Moriah Connolly from second.
The Terriers added a second run in the second behind back-to-back doubles from senior Gabi Martinez and junior Jilee Schanda.
Heinen, Martinez, Schanda and Connolly all singled to cut the deficit to 7-4 in the fourth ... With two outs and bases loaded, Connolly hit an infield single, and NCSU got out of the inning by throwing Schanda out at home after Martinez scored.
NCSU applied more pressure by drawing three walks in the fourth and hitting an RBI single to push the lead back to four (8-4).
After both teams scored a run in the fifth, the Terriers loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but could only get one run off an RBI grounder from freshman Olivia Francomano.

GAME NOTES

The contest marked BU's first-ever against NC State and first against former head coach Shawn Rychick ('05-'12) since he took the Wolf Pack job in the summer of 2012.
Heinen, Martinez and Schanda all had three hits with one double apiece ... Martinez reached home three times as well.
All four Terrier pitchers allowed three hits apiece ... Freshman Lizzie Annerino went the longest in the final 3.1 innings, recording two strikeouts against three walks while allowing two runs.
Highlighted by a 3-1 win over No. 23 Florida Atlantic, BU batted an impressive .327 during the four FAU Kick-Off Classic games while holding opponents to .268 but was outscored, 15-11, for a 2-2 split.

NEXT UP

The Terriers will remain in Florida and compete at the Madeira Beach Tournament on Feb. 17-19.
BU will compete in five games against host Eastern Michigan, Oakland, UAB, Quinnipiac and Southern Illinois.