If there was any question as to why April Setterlund is the leadoff hitter for the Terriers, her performance in yesterday’s doubleheader answered it.

“April had a huge day,” said BU coach Shawn Rychcik.

In eight at-bats, the California native had five hits to help the Terriers sweep the University of Maine at BU Softball Field.

Setterlund entered yesterday’s games riding a recent streak, and was one of the few Terriers able to generate offense against Stony Brook University last weekend.

In yesterday’s first game, she continued the success of the previous weekend, going 4-for-4 and collecting two runs and two steals as part of the Terriers’ 5-0 win.

Setterlund started the second game with a groundout to second base, but picked it up to finish the game with two RBI and a run. Both RBIs came in the bottom of the fourth, when she hit a triple to centerfield, plating senior Tyler Benson and freshman Melanie Delgado. Setterlund later scored.

At this point in the season, it’s no secret that Setterlund’s speed is one of the Terriers’ best assets. She has put her talent to good use, converting on 11 of 14 steal attempts this season.

“In order to use the speed she has to be able get on base, which she has been doing well. Sometimes she’ll hit the ball hard, but other times, if Shayne [Lotito] is going 4-for-4, she’ll just get on base,” Rychcik said.

Part of Setterlund’s success is her versatility at the plate. She has the ability to bunt, slap and hit homers.

“This kind of hitter is hard to defend,” Rychcik said. “And we have a few on our team.”

Though Setterlund is only a freshman, Rychcik usually gives her the freedom to decide what she wants to do when she gets up to bat.

“I give her some suggestions, but I don’t tell her what to do. She’ll pretty much dictate when she is bunting or slapping,” Rychcik said. “A couple times I will tell her, ‘Hey, we need a hit right here.’ That is what happened with her triple. I told her to hit the ball. I needed her to drive in some runs.”

Setterlund said she usually starts every at-bat with a fake bunt to read the defense, and then decides how to approach the at-bat accordingly.

Rychcik said he expects Setterlund to continue to improve at reading the defense and making the right calls.

“She is a freshman and I promise you next year I won’t have to say a word. We’ll be 100 percent on the same page,” he said. “I believe that when she’s feeling good, she should go with her best option. If that is hitting, then by all means swing the bat.”