Boston University (0-0)
at
Providence (0-0)
Sunday, March 7 – 12 p.m. (DH)
Monday, March 8 – 1 p.m. (DH)
Glay Field (Providence, R.I.)
Watch:
Friars All-Access
Live Stats:
Friars.com
Twitter:
@BUGameDay |
@TerrierSoftball
Rosters:
BU |
Providence
Schedule:
BU |
Providence
Stats:
BU |
Providence
BOSTON – The two-time defending Patriot League champion Boston University softball team will open its 34th season with a pair of doubleheaders at Providence, starting Sunday at 12 p.m. First pitch on Monday is set for 1 p.m.
Led by sixth-year head coach
Ashley Waters, the Terriers will try to duplicate the efforts of last year's squad that earned the program's first-ever 8-0 start. BU had notable non-conference wins over Virginia, Long Beach State and defending Southland Conference champion Sam Houston State (2x) before the season was halted early at 14-8.
Returning to the circle is two-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year
Ali DuBois, who currently ranks in the top five all-time at BU and top 10 in the Patriot League for wins (60), strikeouts (488) and shutouts (23). Junior pitcher
Emily Gant joined her on the 2021 Preseason All-PL Team after collecting five wins last season while adding nine RBIs and seven runs scored. On the offensive front, junior and PL Preseason Player of the Year
Aliyah Huerta-Leipner led the Terriers in 2020 with a .333 batting average with 18 runs scored, 18 RBIs, four homers, three doubles and one triple for a .591 slugging percentage.
Overall, BU returns 14 players from the 2020 season. Senior
Marina Sylvestri hit .328 with 12 RBIs, while sophomore
Caitlin Coker hit .317 with four doubles and 14 runs scored. Having made seven NCAA appearances since 2009, the Terriers will feature six newcomers as well.
Providence went 6-11 last season and returns its top hitter Jessica Tomaso, who batted .348 with four homers and 14 RBIs after helping lead the Friars to a 30-22 record in 2019. Daniela Alvarez is the top returning pitcher. She posted a 3.68 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 53 innings and an opposing .239 batting average. Like BU, Providence welcomes six freshmen while also adding a transfer from URI and Virginia.
BU is 20-15-1 all-time against Providence in a series dating back to 1988 and is on a seven-game unbeaten streak. The Terriers won the last meeting, 7-0, at home in 2018 and last visited Providence in 2013 for a doubleheader. After claiming a 2-0 win, they rallied from a five-run deficit and escaped with a 6-6 tie after Lauren Hynes ('16) made a diving catch in right field in nearly pitch dark conditions to preserve the tie.
