Terriers Named to D1Softball's Top 50 Programs List
August 26, 2020 | Softball
BOSTON – After making six NCAA appearances during the past decade, the Boston University softball team has placed No. 43 in D1Softball's inaugural Top 50 College Softball Programs rankings.
According to D1Softball's release, the staff looked at results and statistics from the past decade to help evaluate programs' "coaching staff quality and stability, facilities, scholarship/financial aid situation, conference dynamics, momentum, and recruiting and player development proficiency." Their ultimate goal was to identify the "programs in the best shape right now, with an eye toward the next five to 10 years". There are currently 298 NCAA Division I programs.
"It is an incredible honor to be recognized as one of the best 50 softball programs of the decade," said sixth-year head coach Ashley Waters. "From the start of this program in 1988-until now, our alums have built a foundation of work ethic, grit and a dedication to greatness. They have successfully passed along a tradition of excellence that has created incredible recognitions and moments like these. This program attracts wonderful people, brilliant students and stellar athletes from across the country. We are proud of what we have achieved. However, the best is yet to come."
In 2012, BU earned its first-ever No. 3 seed at a regional as the America East champion and followed up two years later in their first season in the Patriot League with an impressive 8-3 regional win over American Athletic Conference champion Louisville on ESPN. In 2018, the Terriers grabbed the national spotlight again by upsetting No. 1 and two-time defending Women's College World Series champion Oklahoma for the program's first-ever win against the top-ranked team.
At the individual level, the program earned a combined 59 All-Conference awards along with 22 year-end honors. The student-athletes also received 19 All-Region awards with BU Hall of Famer April Setterlund ('11) adding NFCA All-America First Team honors in 2010 and Easton All-America Second Team accolades in 2011. Both Setterlund and reigning two-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Ali DuBois were placed on USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List as well.
BU dominated at home during the 2010s, earning a 111-33 (.771) record. For the decade, the Terriers batted .286 and held opponents to .252 with the help of a .963 fielding percentage. This past spring, they were primed for a special year, as they started 8-0 for the first time in program history and had a top-50 RPI ranking when the season was halted.
According to D1Softball's release, the staff looked at results and statistics from the past decade to help evaluate programs' "coaching staff quality and stability, facilities, scholarship/financial aid situation, conference dynamics, momentum, and recruiting and player development proficiency." Their ultimate goal was to identify the "programs in the best shape right now, with an eye toward the next five to 10 years". There are currently 298 NCAA Division I programs.
"It is an incredible honor to be recognized as one of the best 50 softball programs of the decade," said sixth-year head coach Ashley Waters. "From the start of this program in 1988-until now, our alums have built a foundation of work ethic, grit and a dedication to greatness. They have successfully passed along a tradition of excellence that has created incredible recognitions and moments like these. This program attracts wonderful people, brilliant students and stellar athletes from across the country. We are proud of what we have achieved. However, the best is yet to come."
Previously making NCAA appearances in 1996, 2002 and 2003, the Terriers reached the regional finals in 2009 and carried the momentum into the 2010s for their most successful decade yet. During the past 10 years, they combined for six of their 13 overall conference tournament championships (4 Patriot League, 2 America East) and five of their 11 regular season titles (2 Patriot League, 3 America East). BU posted a 126-49 (.720) record in conference play and went 11-2 (.846) in the last four Patriot League tournaments with Waters prevailing in 2016, 2018 and 2019.Honored to be placed on @D1Softball's list of the Top 50 @NCAAsoftball programs‼️ As @ashley3waters said, "We are proud of what we have achieved. However, the best is yet to come." #GoBU #BUSB 🥎🐾👊
— BU Softball (@TerrierSoftball) August 26, 2020
📰: https://t.co/xxnK2kO789 pic.twitter.com/e2BpH7kQS5
In 2012, BU earned its first-ever No. 3 seed at a regional as the America East champion and followed up two years later in their first season in the Patriot League with an impressive 8-3 regional win over American Athletic Conference champion Louisville on ESPN. In 2018, the Terriers grabbed the national spotlight again by upsetting No. 1 and two-time defending Women's College World Series champion Oklahoma for the program's first-ever win against the top-ranked team.
How did we land at No. 4️⃣3️⃣ in @D1Softball's Top 50 @NCAAsoftball Programs list? Below is a 📸 of the past decade. #GoBU #BUSB 🥎🐾 pic.twitter.com/QbDSXwEt5C
— BU Softball (@TerrierSoftball) August 27, 2020
At the individual level, the program earned a combined 59 All-Conference awards along with 22 year-end honors. The student-athletes also received 19 All-Region awards with BU Hall of Famer April Setterlund ('11) adding NFCA All-America First Team honors in 2010 and Easton All-America Second Team accolades in 2011. Both Setterlund and reigning two-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Ali DuBois were placed on USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List as well.
BU dominated at home during the 2010s, earning a 111-33 (.771) record. For the decade, the Terriers batted .286 and held opponents to .252 with the help of a .963 fielding percentage. This past spring, they were primed for a special year, as they started 8-0 for the first time in program history and had a top-50 RPI ranking when the season was halted.
Here's another deep dive into our No. 4️⃣3️⃣ ranking in @D1Softball's Top 50 @NCAAsoftball Programs list. April Setterlund started & Alex Heinen ended the decade with back-to-back conference Player of the Year awards. #GoBU #BUSB 🥎🐾 pic.twitter.com/VrxkAvjwfJ
— BU Softball (@TerrierSoftball) August 31, 2020
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