Softball Upends Northwestern, 6-4

Friday, February 27

Durham, NC

11 AM

Boston University

7-9

Northwestern

6-10

Boston University

Northwestern

Livia Christopher sprints toward first base following a hit

Photo by: Jon Rose

February 27, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Boosted by a second-inning offensive surge, the Boston University softball team claimed a 6-4 win over Northwestern Friday afternoon at the Duke Invitational.

The Terriers (7-9) scored all six runs in the second and withstood a four-run sixth from the Wildcats (6-10) to claim their fourth victory of the season against a Power 4 program.

Junior Livia Christopher delivered a two-RBI double to grab the lead for good, and senior Brooke Deppiesse added a two-run homer in what proved to be the game-winning at-bat after two other Terriers scored on a fielding error.

In the circle, senior Kasey Ricard (5-5) pitched 5.1 scoreless innings with the help of four strikeouts before Northwestern started its rally, and classmate Haley Ganino earned her first career save by retiring all four Wildcats she faced.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams had their chances in the first inning, starting with BU who had freshman Irys Kline (hit-by-pitch) at third with one out before striking out and fly out to center.
The Wildcats had two on via a single and walk, but Ricard ended the threat by earning a swinging strikeout.
After senior Aimee Metz (BB) and sophomore Camryn Lyons (1B) both got on base, Christopher sent a 3-2 pitch down the left field line.
With freshman Madolyn Coupal at first via walk, Kline ripped a single that was mishandled by the right fielder that led both Christopher and Coupal to reach home plate.
Deppiesse followed by launching a 2-2 pitch toward left center for the 6-0 lead.
The Wildcats doubled to center with two outs in the bottom half but then fouled out to third.
Northwestern turned a double play in the third to keep the score at 6-0 and threatened one inning later
With the bases loaded via one-out single, one-out walk and two-out hit-by-pitch, Ricard earned a swinging strikeout on a 3-2 pitch.
After stranding two more runners in the fifth, Northwestern started off the rally with a lead-off double and one-out RBI single.
The Wildcats loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch and single to set up an RBI sac fly and two-out, two-RBI single to center.
Ganino entered in relief and retired the four Wildcats with a foul out, strikeout and pair of ground outs.

GAME NOTES

BU defeated its second different Big 10 opponent of the season following a 3-0 win against Maryland. The Terriers also earned their ninth win against the Big 10 under head coach Ashley Waters dating back to 2018 following earlier victories against Michigan State (3x), Penn State (2x), Minnesota and Purdue.
Ganino earned BU's first save since Ricard, Allison Boaz ('24) and Lizzy Avery ('24) combined for four in 2024.
Deppiesse became the sixth different Terrier to earn a homer this season, while Christopher became the 11th to record a double.
Christopher plated two for the first time this season and last accomplished the feat with a two-RBI single against Colgate in 2025.
Ricard is now one win away from becoming the third Terrier to claim 80 victories with Cassidi Hardy ('10) and Ali DuBois ('21) both tied at 85 career wins.

UP NEXT

BU will wrap up the Duke Invitational with a doubleheader on Saturday (Feb. 28).
The Terriers will first face the Wildcats a second time starting at 10 a.m. and will then play Ohio State at 3 p.m.
BU is 0-2 all-time against the Buckeyes with a 3-2 (8) loss to the Buckeyes in 2018 and a 13-10 defeat back in 2005.