The softball team (4-27-1 overall, 1-8 Patriot League) dropped all of its matchups in a three-game series against Boston University last weekend. After being shutout 8-0 in the first game on Saturday, the Leopards fell 4-2 in the second game on Saturday, and 3-2 in the game on Sunday.
In the series opener, the Leopards’ offense could never really get going. BU’s starting pitcher Allison Boaz limited Lafayette to only a pair of hits. BU scored two runs in the second inning and one in the fourth when graduate student Nicole Amodio hit a solo home run for the 3-0 lead. The Terriers plated two more runs in the fifth inning and closed out the game in the next inning 8-0 after senior Caitlin Coker managed a three-run, inside-the-park home run.
Despite the outcome, junior pitcher Kailee Sawai only allowed three earned runs over 4.1 innings.
“They’re a really good hitting team, as they are first in our conference, so having their hit count stay low is definitely a confidence booster for me and also shows we can compete with the number one team in the conference,” Sawai said.
A highlight of the second game was freshman first basewoman Megan Coyle’s first career home run.
“[That home run] caused us to come back to a 3-2 score as opposed to a 3-0 score, and definitely caused us to gain more momentum and confidence in that game,” Sawai said.
Both Lafayette sophomore pitcher Morrigan Gardiner and BU starting pitcher Kasey Ricard sailed through the late innings, neither allowing a hit after the third. Gardiner finished the game with four strikeouts and four walks over six innings, while Ricard struck out 11 and issued two walks. Ultimately, the Terriers triumphed 4-2.
During Sunday’s game, the starting pitchers kept the offenses in check early, maintaining a scoreless contest through five innings. Senior second basewoman Kaili Reitano helped ensure that, making a diving save at the end of the fifth to hold BU off the scoreboard.
Sawai said a memorable moment came in the seventh inning. She explained that there were two outs with bases loaded, and there was a ground ball hit to sophomore shortstop Harlie Bickett. She made the throw to first for what would’ve been the final out of the game, but the umpire called the runner safe on first.
“When looking at the instant replay on film, the runner was out, but we aren’t granted instant replay checks,” Sawai said. “The score was 2-1 at that time, and if we got that call, then the game would’ve been over and we would’ve won against BU 2-1. It was a really quick play, but our fielders did everything they could to ensure the runner was out.”
Despite being close to closing out its second Patriot League win of the season, those two runs from Boston in the seventh inning solidified the 3-2 decision in their favor.
“Our hope as a team is to finish these last few Patriot League series strong,” Sawai said. “We’ve gotten the more tough teams out of the way like Lehigh and Army, so now it is our job to win against the rest of the teams we play in our conference to ensure our position in the Patriot League tournament.”
This weekend, the Leopards will face Holy Cross at home for another three-game series.
“Our goal as a team is not only to make it to the Patriot League tournament but also win it,” Sawai said. “Seeing how we’ve played competitively against these teams, it makes us confident that we can and do belong in the tournament and have a shot at winning the championship.”