BOSTON – Led by graduate student
Jen Horita's two-RBI triple and ensuing successful slide at home, the Boston University softball team pulled out a 3-1 home win over Providence on Sunday afternoon.
Extending the nation's second-longest home win streak to 19 games, the Terriers (26-13) are now on a 15-game overall win streak after posting an 8-6 advantage in hits against the Friars (21-12). Junior
Allison Boaz (15-4) went the distance in the circle with the help of a career-tying seven strikeouts.
The defense came up with a couple of key plays, including sophomore
Lauren Keleher's throw home from right for the final out in the third. Batting 2-for-3 at the plate, senior
Aliyah Huerta-Leipner made a successful stab at a hard grounder toward second to keep two Friars on base and maintain the 3-1 advantage. Both Horita and sophomore
Kayla Roncin went 2-for-3 as well, while senior
Nicole Amodio collected the other RBI on a sac fly that plated Horita.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Providence's Tori Grifone (9-6) allowed a combined three hits and a walk through the first two innings but got out of trouble in each of the first two innings with the help of two strikeouts.
- Trying to grab the lead in the top of the third following a BU error and infield single, Grifone singled to right with two outs before Keleher made the long throw home for junior Audrey Sellers to apply the tag.
- Carrying the momentum from the thrilling putout, Keleher doubled to left center and moved to third on Roncin's single through the left side.
- With one out, Horita was just inches shy of her first career homer, as high-rising ball on a 1-0 pitch hit the top of the fence for the 2-0 advantage.
- Amodio followed up with a shallow fly ball toward right, which led to Providence sending the ball home in time but Horita using her reflexes to get around the tag and touch home in time for the third run.
- The Friars mounted a charge in the fifth with a lead off double, wild pitch, walk and fielding error to get on the scoreboard with zero outs.
- Boaz bounced back with a strikeout, pop up and ground out, as Providence stranded two on base.
- Horita led off the sixth with a bunt single and took third on Huerta-Leipner's double, but the Friars kept the deficit at two runs with a strikeout and ground out.
- Boaz didn't need anymore insurance though, earning a quick 1-2-3 for the victory.
UP NEXT
- BU will remain home and host UMass on Wednesday (April 13) at 3 p.m.
- The Terriers are 6-15 all-time in the series but have won the last two meetings, including most recently a 3-1 decision at home in 2019.
