Caitlin Coker celebrates after an out with a yellow near third base.
Julian Alexander
0
Penn State PSU 7-2
4
Winner Boston University BOSTONU 10-3
Penn State PSU
7-2
0
Final
4
Boston University BOSTONU
10-3
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Penn State PSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
Boston University BOSTONU 2 0 0 0 0 2 X 4 6 0

W: Boaz, Allison (4-2) L: Bailey Parshall (4-2)

Game Recap: Softball |

Softball Rides Strong Pitching, Clutch Coker Hits to 4-0 Win over Penn State

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Highlighted by senior Allison Boaz's strong pitching performance and classmate Caitlin Coker's pair of RBI hits, the Boston University softball team earned its third straight shutout with a 4-0 win over Big Ten member Penn State on Saturday afternoon at the Queen City Classic hosted by Charlotte.

Defeating their second consecutive Power 5 opponent, the Terriers improve to 10-3, while the Nittany Lions fall to 7-2. Penn State entered the contest averaging 6.0 runs and 7.7 hits per game but managed just one single over the final six innings against Boaz (4-2), who combined with senior Lizzy Avery for BU's sixth shutout in 13 games.

Coker plated the go-ahead run in the first with an RBI single and added an RBI triple in the sixth while also scoring the other two runs. On the defensive front, she added six assists to maintain her perfect fielding percentage on the season. Freshman Aimee Metz recorded a pinch-hit RBI sac fly to provide insurance. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • PSU loaded the bases with a one-out single, two-out single and two-out walk before Avery ended the threat with a loud fly out to left.
  • Junior Lauren Keleher set the tone early with a lead-off double and run scored on Coker's RBI single up the middle.
  • After Coker stole second with two outs, she scored on freshman Brooke Deppiesse's infield single that led to an error for the 2-0 advantage.
  • Boaz replaced Avery in the circle to start the second and collected three strikeouts.
  • After six straight outs, PSU started the top of the fourth with a double, but Boaz earned an infield pop up and pair of line outs to maintain the two-run lead.
  • The Nittany Lions threatened again in the sixth with a pair of one-out walks before the Terriers turned the traditional 6-4-3 double play.
  • Coker added two insurance runs by tripling junior Kayla Roncin home and then scoring on Metz's RBI sac fly to left.
  • Boaz sealed the win with three straight ground outs.
GAME NOTES
  • BU defeated a Big 10 school for the consecutive year following last year's 5-2 win over Purdue.
  • Coker moved into a tie for No. 10 all-time in the program record book at 10 career triples.
  • BU now owns a 7-1 advantage in triples against teams this season.
  • The Terriers have shut out three straight non-conference opponents for the first time since blanking Stetson twice and George Mason at the 2020 Stetson Lead-Off Classic.
  • The Terriers cut PSU's lead in the series to 6-2 with their first win in four tries with the last victory occurring in 2002.
UP NEXT
  • BU will wrap the Queen City Classic on Sunday (Feb. 26) with a 9 a.m. first pitch against Penn State.
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