The BU softball team players jump with arms raised in the dugout after a big play at the USF-Rawlings Invitational.
Apeiro Sports Photo
0
Saint Joseph's SJU 0-1
8
Winner Boston University BOSTONU 1-0
Saint Joseph's SJU
0-1
0
Final
8
Boston University BOSTONU
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E
Saint Joseph's SJU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Boston University BOSTONU 0 0 3 4 0 1 8 10 0

W: Avery, Lizzy (1-0) L: Siler (0-1)

2
Winner Boston University BU 2-0
1
Illinois State ILS 0-1
Winner
Boston University BU
2-0
2
Final
1
Illinois State ILS
0-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Boston University BU 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 0
Illinois State ILS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1

W: Boaz, Allison (1-0) L: Ross, Hannah (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Stellar Pitching, Timely Hitting Propel Softball to Season-Opening Wins over Saint Joseph's and Illinois State

TAMPA, Fla. – Boosted by timely hitting and a pair of stellar pitching performances, the Boston University softball team earned wins against both Saint Joseph's and Illinois State on the opening day of the USF-Rawlings Invitational.

The Terriers (2-0) posted an 18-4 advantage in hits over 13 innings to run-rule the Hawks, 8-0(6), and edge the Redbirds, 2-1. Graduate student Emily Gant led BU with a team-high four hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, while junior Kayla Roncin posted three singles, an RBI and two runs scored. Freshman Brooke Deppiesse delivered the go-ahead solo HR in the top of the seventh against ISU.

In the circle, senior Lizzy Avery (1-0) totaled four strikeouts in five innings to help shut out SJU, and classmate Allison Boaz (1-0) posted seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings against just two hits for a hard-fought one-run victory over ISU. Freshman Kasey Ricard appeared in both contests, tallying three strikeouts in 1.1 innings of work.

GAME 1: BU 8, Saint Joseph's 0 (6 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After stranding two on base in the bottom of the first, the Terriers broke through in the third with three two-out runs off four total hits.
  • Keleher and Roncin set the stage with back-to-back one-out singles, and Gant took the lead for good with a two-out RBI single to right.
  • Graduate student Nicole Amodio followed with a two-out, two-RBI single to right center for the 3-0 advantage.
  • Avery pitched three no-hit innings before giving up a lead-off single in the fourth but got out of the jam by never allowing the ball to leave the infield.
  • BU pulled away in the fourth, as junior Lauren Nett (single), Deppiesse (walk) and junior Kate Pryor (walk) loaded the bases with zero outs.
  • Keleher and Roncin recorded RBI sac flies to the outfield, and Gant followed with a two-out, two-RBI double to left center.
  • Gant ended up scoring the walk-off run by leading off the sixth with a single, taking second on freshman Haley Ganino's single up the middle and then scoring on sophomore Tyesha Williams' RBI double.
GAME 2: BU 2, Illinois State 1

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • BU scored the first run in the top of the first, as Roncin singled to short, took second on senior Caitlin Coker's single, advanced to third on a ground out and finally scored when Gant drew an errant throw on her way to second.
  • Boaz started the game with two strikeouts to keep the lead entering the second but ran into trouble after allowing a walk and then getting hit by the softball.
  • Ricard entered the circle, as Boaz got examined, and had a strikeout along with two walks.
  • With the bases still loaded and just one out, Boaz reentered the game and prevented further damage with a strikeout and fly out.
  • BU loaded the bases on singles by Keleher, Coker and Gant before flying out to center to strand three runners.
  • ISU had one more quality opportunity to score in the fifth with a lead-off single and two-out walk, but Boaz earned a 4-3 ground out to keep the game tied.
  • Deppiesse took the lead for good by homering a 1-2 pitch to left as the lead-off batter in the top of the seventh.
  • The Terriers stranded two on base, but they didn't need insurance, as the Redbirds were quickly retired by Boaz.
GAME NOTES
  • BU earned its largest season-opening margin of victory since posting an 11-0(5) no-hit win over George Mason in 2007.
  • Amodio moved up to tie-for-eighth all-time at BU with 115 career RBIs.
  • Freshmen Aimee Metz and Haley Ganino joined Deppiesse and Ricard in making their debuts on the opening day.
  • Meeting SJU for the first time since 2010, the Terriers snapped a two-game losing streak in the series with their first win since claiming a DH sweep (14-5, 6-5) in 2007. The Hawks now lead, 6-5.
  • BU last faced ISU in 2015 and claimed its first-ever win to cut the Redbirds' series lead to 4-1. 
UP NEXT
  • BU will conclude the tournament by facing host South Florida at 4:30 p.m. and then No. 4/5 Florida at 7 p.m.
  • USF leads the all-time series, 7-5, with BU last winning in 2012.
  • Florida has won all three meetings, including the most recent 3-0 decision in the 2019 NCAA Regional opener.
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