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.

• 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. 

• 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.

• 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.