After a 1-4 opening weekend, the Boston University softball team enters its second tournament of the season with a focus on improvement.
The Terriers open another five-game weekend slate today, when they entertain the University of Missouri (9-6) and South Dakota State University (4-5) at the Tiger Invite in Columbia, Mo.
“I want to gain some ground from last weekend,” said BU coach Shawn Rychcik. “We need to make progress. It doesn’t have to be wins. I just want to be consistent and play good defense. We must be ready for the first inning and the seventh inning, and nothing in between can be off.”
BU opens the tourney against the Missouri Tigers, who are receiving votes in the USA Softball Collegiate poll and have more games under their belt than the Terriers.
Rychcik, who knows Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine and is familiar with the Tiger program, said he is looking forward to the matchup.
“They picked us to come [play in the Invite], and I think it will be beneficial to both teams to play each other,” he said.
Rychcik used three pitchers in last week’s Houston Classic, and he plans on employing the same trio this weekend. BU plays Missouri three times in as many days, and Rychcik hopes to start junior Cassidi Hardy, sophomore Megan Currier and freshman Kelley Engman against the Tigers.
“Missouri plays in the Big 12 [Conference, which includes Top-10 teams Texas A'M and Oklahoma] and so they are used to that level of pitching. It will be good for our girls,” Rychcik said.
Following this afternoon’s tilt against the Tigers, the Terriers will take on South Dakota State. They will repeat Friday’s schedule Saturday before concluding the weekend Sunday with a final game against Missouri.
“Last weekend’s loss to Centenary was disappointing,” Rychcik said. “It is the same situation here with South Dakota State. We need to make sure we get our wins against them. I’d like to see us sweep them.”
Although their record shows the Terriers aren’t going into the weekend on a high note, they did pick up two weekly conference awards this week. Engman and junior Shayne Lotito received America East Rookie and Player of the Week honors, respectively. Engman pitched 11 innings in relief last weekend for a 1.27 ERA, while Lotito batted .375 over five games, going 6-for-16 with one walk.
“If you do your job and play to your ability, you’ll win a lot of awards,” Rychcik said. “I’m all for winning awards, but as far as on the field, it doesn’t affect us. If anything, it just puts a target on their back.
“This time of the year, it is most important to establish where we are and not focus on completely statistical things. Getting better isn’t all statistical.”
