Missouri Eliminates Softball in NCAA Regional Seesaw Affair, 10-8

Saturday, May 19

Norman, OK

6:30 PM CT

Boston University

39-20

Missouri (NCAA Regional - Elimination G1)

29-28

Missouri

Boston University

Missouri Eliminates Softball in NCAA Regional Seesaw Affair, 10-8

May 19, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Box Score NCAA Regional Central

NORMAN, Okla. – Despite senior Kaitlin Sahlinger, senior Emma Wong and freshman Marina Sylvestri collecting two RBIs apiece, the reigning Patriot League champion Boston University softball team fell to SEC member Missouri, 10-8, in a thrilling back-and-forth NCAA Regional elimination game on Saturday night at the University of Oklahoma's Marita Hynes Field.

Entering the weekend with an RPI ranking of 24, the Tigers doubled the Terriers (39-20) in hits (16-8) to improve to 29-28, as BU allowed double-digit runs for just the second time this season. The contest lasted 2:35 and featured a combined six pitchers in the circle with Missouri advancing to a second elimination game against reigning AAC champion Tulsa later in the night.

TURNING POINT

The teams were tied at 7-7 for 2 1/2 innings before the decisive seventh inning.
After collecting a one-out double and advancing the runner to third on a groundout in the top of the seventh, Missouri took the lead for good on a two-out bloop single down the right field line against freshman Cali Dolfi (5-8).
The Tigers followed with an infield single, an RBI bunt single and a double steal to extend the lead to 10-7.
Junior Emily Morrow tried to mount a rally with a lead-off single, which led to the Tigers bringing in their No. 1 pitcher Lauren Rice from the bullpen.
BU managed to load the bases on a walk and fielding error with zero outs but was unable to get the ball out of the infield the rest of the game.
After junior Alexa Ponce recorded an RBI ground out, the Tigers got a tag at home for the second out and then robbed senior Brittany Younan of a hit up the middle with a diving stab and force out at second to seal the win.

THE SETUP

Missouri got off to a hot start against reigning Patriot League Pitcher and Rookie of the Year Ali DuBois with a a single up the middle, an infield single, walk and then grand slam by Amanda Sanchez.
Dolfi replaced DuBois in the circle and helped induce a ground out and 4-6-3 double play to keep the deficit at 4-0.
The Terriers mounted a rally in the bottom of the second with four runs off two hits and three walks with Sahlinger delivering a two-run homer and Wong singling up the middle for two more runs.
Missouri retook the lead momentarily with a two-out infield single and RBI double to left center in the top of the third.
After scoring a run in the second on Sahlinger's blast, Morrow led off the third with a single and then advanced to third on Sahlinger's double.
Sylvestri gave BU its first lead of the game with a two-RBI single up the middle and then eventually scored on Younan's single to left to put the Terriers ahead, 7-5, and prompt Missouri's third pitching change.
The Terriers' lead did not last long, as the Tigers led off the fourth with three perfectly-placed singles to load the bases.
On the next at-bat, the Terriers got the force at third and first for the double play on a grounder, but a runner scored to pull Missouri within one.
The Tigers then drew a walk and RBI single to tie the game at 7-7.
Danielle Baumgartner (2-4) pitched 3.1 innings in relief without allowing a hit until Morrow's lead-off single in the seventh to collect the victory.

GAME NOTES

A 2018 All-PL Second Team honoree, Morrow went 2-for-3 with a walk and personal-best three runs scored.
Another All-PL Second Team member, Sahlinger earned her fifth homer of the season, as the Terriers finished with 20 for the season, their most since they had 21 in 2014 ... She led BU with three hits for the entire weekend.
Sylvestri recorded more than one RBI in a game for the first time this season.
The Terriers fell to 8-18 all-time in NCAA action, as Missouri became the first opponent to post double-digits on the scoreboard ... BU's eight runs scored were the program's most in defeat, surpassing the 9-6 loss against Arizona in 2014.

SENIOR RECORDS

Senior Diana Parker, senior Jilee Schanda, Sahlinger, Younan and Wong helped BU clinch its first Patriot League regular season title and end the year with 39 wins, third most in program history.
A three-year team captain and fifth-year senior, Younan was a part of three NCAA appearances (2014, 16, 18) ... She ends her collegiate career tied-for-third all-time at BU in triples (18), fourth in runs scored (151), fourth in hits (245), fifth in average (.354), tied-for-fifth in stolen bases (70) and 10th in RBIs (112).
Wong finished the season with 52 runs scored, second most ever at BU, and ended her career with 126 for the No. 8 slot ... She also ranks ninth all-time in hits (199) and 10th in stolen bases (46).
Schanda had eight triples this season, third most in a season just behind Younan's 10 and Beth Iwamoto's ('94) 13 ... She leaves BU ranked tied-for-fifth all-time with 14 triples, tied-for-eighth in doubles (31) and 11th in runs scored (116).

RETURNING TERRIERS

Led by 2018 Patriot League Coach of the Year Ashley Waters, the Terriers will return all five pitchers ... DuBois, Dolfi, sophomore Lizzie Annerino and sophomore Kali Magane all collected at least three wins this season and combined for a 2.42 ERA while Maya Kipfmiller made three appearances.
Junior Alex Heinen is the reigning PL Player of the Year and already owns 117 RBIs, just 23 shy of the school record held by BU Hall of Famer April Setterlund ('11), along with 33 doubles, fifth most in the record book.
Morrow had a major turnaround season, improving her average to .287 this year after batting .229 a year prior ... She had 10 extra-base hits in 2018, including five triples, after combining for seven her first two seasons.
Named the 2018 PL Tournament MVP, junior Madi Killebrew had 15 doubles this season, tied-for-third most in a season at BU.
A 2017 All-PL Second Team member, junior Alexa Ponce tallied 31 RBIs this year after combining for 30 her first two years.