Coach Waters Postgame Comments

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BOSTON – Highlighted by a pair of key home runs and strong complete-game pitching performances, the Boston University softball team rolled to a doubleheader shutout sweep over Army West Point on Saturday afternoon at home.  

Sophomore Alex Heinen hit a solo blast and freshman Kali Magane scattered five hits over seven innings to help the Terriers (13-21, 5-3 PL) claim a 5-0 game-one victory over the Black Knights (27-14, 7-4 PL). In game two, senior Rachel Levine delivered a grand-slam homer, and classmate Makinna Akers used four strikeouts while allowing just seven hits to post a 7-0 win.

GAME ONE RUNDOWN
Final Score: Boston University 5, Army West Point 0
WP: Magane (7-8, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 K, 5 BB)
LP: Poirier (10-6, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R/ER, 2 K, 1 BB)
BU Leaders: Heinen (1-3 AB, SOLO HR), Connolly (0-1 AB, 2 R, 1 BB), Martinez (1-3 AB, 1 RBI, 1 R) 
Army Leaders: Espara-Gallegos (3-3 AB, 1 2B)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Junior Emma Wong turned a double play from the outfield with a strong throw to first to help keep the game scoreless entering bottom of the first.
• After being hit by a pitch, senior Moriah Connolly advanced to second on a groundout, stole third and then scored on an errant throw from home plate.
• With two outs, senior Alex Heinen crushed a 1-2 pitch from Patriot League Preseason Pitcher of the Year Renee Poirier toward left center for a 2-0 lead.
• The Black Knights had an opportunity to get on the board against freshman Kali Magane in the third by collecting a pair of singles, but on the following single by Emily Ballesteros, junior Jilee Schanda was able to throw out the runner at home from center field ... Army still had two on with two outs, but Magane ended the threat with one of her two strikeouts.
• BU added three insurance runs in the fifth to help put the game away off two hits with senior Gabi Martinez, sophomore Alexa Ponce and junior Emma Wong all collecting an RBI.

GAME TWO RUNDOWN
Final Score: Boston University 7, Army West Point 0
WP: Akers (6-7, 7.0 IP, 0 R, 4 K, 1 BB)
LP: Smith (8-4, 4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 K, 4 BB)
BU Leaders: Levine (2-3 AB, Grand Slam HR), Martinez (2-3 AB, 1 RBI, 1 R), Schanda (1-4 AB, 1 RBI, 1 R)
Army Leaders: Yoo (2-2 AB), Kim (2-3 AB), Ontiveros (2-3 AB)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Despite striking out, senior Moriah Connolly reached first on a wild pitch and then stole second before scoring on junior Jilee Schanda's RBI single.
• Senior Gabi Martinez added a second run with an RBI single to plate Schanda from second.
• The Terriers pushed the lead to 3-0 in the third off Martinez's walk, sophomore Alexa Ponce's single and a muffed throw.
• In the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded, Kristen West relieved Caroline Smith in the circle ... Rachel Levine lofted West's 2-2 pitch over the right fence for her first-career homer and grand slam.
• The Back Knights had two runners on base in the first, second and sixth against senior Makinna Akers but hit into an infield ground out all three innings.
• Akers ended the game with her fourth strikeout.

DOUBLEHEADER NOTES

• The Terriers recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since beating Bucknell twice at home in 2014, 1-0 and 6-0 ... Magane collected her third shutout of the season, while Akers earned her first solo and second overall shutout.
• Despite only being out-hit 14-12, Army suffered back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 2015 and in conference play for the first time since 2011.
• Akers and Magane held PL Preseason Player of the Year Alee Rashenskas to a combined 1-of-4 performance with three walks.
• With Heinen and Levine's homers, BU now has 14 this season through 34 contests after tallying 10 total in 52 games last season ... Levine became the fifth Terrier to collect a homer this year with the team's first grand slam of the season.

NEXT UP

• The Terriers will conclude the weekend series on Sunday (April 16) at 12 p.m.
• BU will be seeking its second sweep of the season after taking three against Holy Cross last weekend.