CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Concluding the Charlotte Invitational with a battle of defending conference regular season champions, the Patriot League's Boston University softball team pulled away late to defeat Canisius of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, 8-0, on Sunday afternoon.

After scoring one run in the top of the first, the Terriers plated six more in the top of the sixth to extend its program record-breaking start to 10-0 on the season, as the Golden Griffins fell to 0-3. Two-time PL Pitcher of the Year and graduate student Allison Boaz (3-0) won the pitchers' duel against two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Year Megan Giese with eight strikeouts through 5.2 innings of work. Sophomore Kasey Ricard sealed BU's sixth shutout of the season with two more strikeouts.

At the plate, senior Lauren Keleher went 2-for-4 with a three-run blast, and graduate student Caitlin Coker finished 1-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. Both senior Kayla Roncin and sophomore Brooke Deppiesse earned triples that both led to a run on the scoreboard. Sophomore Aimee Metz added a pinch-hit RBI sac fly, while junior Tyesha Williams and freshman Kylie Doherty both came out of the dugout to earn singles that led to two more runs scoring.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• With one out in the top of the first, Roncin tripled to right and took advantage of the defense leaving home plate unguarded to put BU on the scoreboard for good.
• Boaz started the contest with six strikeouts through 2.2 innings before Canisius earned a two-out single.
• Keleher delivered a two-out double following two BU strikeouts in the top of the fifth, but Giese earned another to keep the deficit at 1-0 entering the bottom half.
• Canisius then put two on with zero outs on a single and wild pitch before Boaz ended the threat with a pair of ground outs and swinging strikeout.
• Coker started the sixth with a lead-off double and quickly scored on graduate student Lizzy Avery's misplayed single.
• Pryor's RBI sac bunt was also misplayed, leading to Keleher driving a first pitch to center for the 7-0 advantage.
• Canisius threatened during the bottom half with a pair of one-out singles before Boaz earned a ground out to third.
• Boaz then loaded the bases with a walk, but Ricard entered in relief to retire the next Golden Griffin with a ground out to second.
• Coker added one more run by earning a hit-by-pitch and scoring on Deppiesse's triple to right center.

UP NEXT

• BU will remain in North Carolina and next compete at the Duke Invitational on Feb. 23-24.
• The Terriers will compete in single-game contests against Michigan State, Villanova, Elon and the host Blue Devils.