Caitlin Coker is hugged by teammates after hitting a homer against Michigan State
Andy Mead
1
Lehigh LEHIGH 30-16
2
Winner Boston University BOSTONU 47-4-1
Lehigh LEHIGH
30-16
1
Final
2
Boston University BOSTONU
47-4-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Lehigh LEHIGH 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1
Boston University BOSTONU 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 1

W: Ricard, Kasey (24-3) L: K. Young (16-9)

4
Lehigh LEHIGH 30-17, 14-3 PL
5
Winner Boston University BOSTONU 48-4-1, 17-0 PL
Lehigh LEHIGH
30-17, 14-3 PL
4
Final
5
Boston University BOSTONU
48-4-1, 17-0 PL
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Lehigh LEHIGH 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 4 8 0
Boston University BOSTONU 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 5 10 0

W: Avery, Lizzy (7-0) L: K. Young (16-10)

Game Recap: Softball |

No. 20 Softball Claims Sixth Straight PL Regular Season Title with Pair of Walk-Off Victories over Lehigh

BOSTON – Helped by graduate student Caitlin Coker scoring the game-winning run in a pair of walk-off victories over Lehigh, the No. 20/22 nationally-ranked Boston University softball team clinched the program's sixth straight Patriot League regular season title Friday afternoon.

Coker beat the tag at home on both occasions, first scoring on senior Lauren Nett's RBI grounder for the 2-1 (11) marathon game one win and then delivering a one-out inside-the-park homer for the thrilling 5-4 game two victory. By prevailing in back-to-back one-run decisions, the Terriers (48-4-1, 15-0 PL) extend their home unbeaten streak to 34 games, as the Mountain Hawks drop to 30-17 and 14-3 in conference play.

All three BU pitchers appeared in the DH, combining for 26 strikeouts in 18.0 innings of work while holding Lehigh to a .197 batting average on the day. Named USA Softball Collegiate Softball Player of the Year Top 26 Finalist earlier in the week, sophomore Kasey Ricard (24-3) fanned 18 Mountain Hawks over a nine-inning stretch of play, first tallying 10 strikeouts in five innings of relief for the first win. Graduate student Lizzy Avery earned three strikeouts in the final three innings to remain unbeaten at 7-0.

The Terriers finished the day with a 14-13 edge in hits with Avery collecting a team-high three hits. Coker was one of four to collect two hits, though both of hers went for extra bases. Seniors Kayla Roncin and Lauren Keleher joined Coker in scoring two runs apiece, while graduate student Allison Boaz had two hits and the other run scored.

GAME 1: #20/22 BU - 2, Lehigh - 1 (11 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Avery led off the second against Katelyn Young with a single but ended up stranded at third, as Lehigh earned two ground outs and a foul out.
  • BU struck first in the bottom of the fourth after Roncin reached first via a fielding error and scored on Coker's RBI double to right.
  • Coker then tried to double the Terriers' lead by sliding home on sophomore Brooke Deppiesse's sac bunt attempt, but the ump ruled Lehigh was able to apply the tag just in time.
  • Freshman Kylie Doherty started the fifth with a lead-off walk and eventually reached third before Young ended the threat on a fly out to left.
  • The Mountain Hawks then took advantage of a one-out fielding error in the top of the sixth following Josie Charles' lead-off walk and stolen base to tie the game, 1-1.
  • Ricard entered the circle in the seventh and was only in trouble in the eighth with a two-out walk and single before earning a strikeout looking.
  • Coker walked off the game in the 11th by earning a lead-off hit-by-pitch, taking second on freshman Livia Christopher's sac bunt, advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on Nett's RBI grounder.
GAME 2: #20/22 BU - 5, Lehigh - 4

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Keleher put BU on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first by leading off with a single to center, taking second on Roncin's sac bunt and scoring on Avery's RBI single.
  • The Mountain Hawks quickly struck back in the second with two runs off three singles, including a pair of two-out RBI hits, and a hit-by-pitch against Ricard.
  • BU started the third with back-to-back singles, a walk and Roncin's RBI single to right to keep the bases loaded and zero outs.
  • Lehigh kept the game tied, earning an infield pop up and then turning a double play on line out to right with a force out at first.
  • The Mountain Hawks retook the lead in the fourth on two singles against Ricard, who kept two on base thanks to two strikeouts.
  • Lehigh added another run in the fifth on a lead-off double and RBI single before Avery recorded two swinging strikeouts.
  • BU needed little time to tie the game, as Keleher earned a lead-off walk, took second on Roncin's single and scored on Deppiesse's two-out, two-RBI double down the left field line.
  • Avery retired the final eight outs, and Coker walked with the win for the second time by launching a pitch off the top of the right field wall and speeding around the bases for the inside-the-park homer. 
UP NEXT
  • The teams will meet one last time on Saturday (May 4) at 12 p.m. with fans encouraged to arrive early for the Senior Day ceremony recognizing nine total Terriers.
  • A food truck with free tacos will also be on site.
  • BU will try to finish undefeated in Patriot League play for the first time since joining the league in the summer of 2013 and also post a perfect conference record for the second time in program history after finishing 8-0 in the America East in 1993.
Print Friendly Version