EASTON, Pa. – Freshman
Aliyah Huerta-Leipner hit a pair of homers and sophomore
Ali DuBois collected four strikeouts to help lead the Boston University softball team to a 4-0 shutout victory over Lafayette on Sunday afternoon.
Extending their win streak to eight games with the weekend series sweep, the Terriers (28-17, 11-1 PL) are now atop the Patriot League standings after Bucknell (25-18, 13-2 PL) dropped its series at Army West Point (23-26, 8-7 PL). BU will wrap up the conference slate against both teams by hosting the Black Knights on April 27-28 and visiting the Bison on May 4-5.
Huerta-Leipner became the first Terrier to go yard twice in a game since Gabi Martinez ('17) accomplished the feat against UAB in 2017. DuBois (19-8) finished with four strikeouts against three hits allowed against the Leopards (7-31-1, 1-11 PL) to earn her eighth solo shutout of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- BU struck first in the top of the second when senior Alexa Ponce earned a free base via hit-by0pitch, took second on sophomore Marina Sylvestri's sac bunt and scored on senior Analisa Ruff's single to right.
- After DuBois induced three infield ground outs, including a web gem from Ponce at third, Huerta-Leipner sent a blast to right center for the 2-0 advantage in the top of the third.
- The Leopards broke up DuBois' no-hit bid in the fourth with a one-out single up the middle, but she bounced back with an infield pop up and strikeout.
- Freshman Nicole Amodio led off the fifth with a hit-by-pitch and eventually scored following Huerta-Leipner's single and senior Alex Heinen's sac fly to right.
- Lafayette had its best to chance to get scoreboard in the sixth with a pair of singles, but DuBois stood tall by inducing a pair of fly outs.
- Huerta-Leipner added her second homer with a blast toward left center in the top of the seventh.
- DuBois quickly retired the side to seal her eighth shutout of the season.
GAME NOTES
- Huerta-Leipner is now second on the team at six homers, as the Terriers increased their total to 25, the program's most since 2012 (38).
- Huerta-Leipner (3x), senior Emily Morrow and Ruff combined for BU's seven hits.
- DuBois moved into a tie for sixth all-time at BU with 19 career shutouts alongside BU Hall of Famer Shannon Downey ('93).
- The Terriers improved to 18-0 all-time against the Leopards and has now posted a shutout in nine of the last 12 victories.
NEXT UP: DARTMOUTH
- The Terriers will next host Dartmouth on Tuesday (April 23) with the doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
- BU is 15-1 all-time in the series and will face the Big Green for the first time since dropping a 5-4 road decision in 2015.
- The Terriers last hosted and defeated Dartmouth in 2010 (4-0).