The Boston University softball team is officially on a roll.
Now winners of seven straight, the Terriers took two games from the University of Maine at the BU Softball Field in yesterday’s doubleheader, winning the first game, 8-1, and the second, 15-5.
The Terriers were led by strong performances from shortstop Melissa Dubay and rookie right fielder Rachel Moeller, who hadn’t started since March 31.
Moeller made the most of her chance yesterday, going 4-for-7 while knocking in nine RBIs. In the first game of the twin bill, both of Moeller’s hits were monster home runs – the first, a two-run shot, and the second, a three-run blast.
“I had never hit a home run until I got [to BU],” Moeller said. “Those were my second and third, so that was really nice.”
“She didn’t get too many at-bats in the Binghamton [University] series, and she needed her opportunity,” said BU coach Shawn Rychcik. “We said, let’s give her the opportunity, and she comes out with a nine-RBI day. That’s ridiculous. And they weren’t just add-ons, they were some important runs, so we were happy to get that performance kind of out of nowhere.”
Dubay made solid contact in every chance she got yesterday, smacking two triples and a home run with collecting seven RBIs in a 7-for-8 performance.
In the second game, Dubay nearly had an inside-the-park home run in the top of the third inning. Driving the ball down the right-field line, she rounded the bases quickly and headed home. The Black Bears seemed to have her trapped, but Maine second baseman Ashley Waters bobbled the ball on the throw and Dubay slid in safely at home. Originally ruled an inside-the-park home run, the play was later scored a triple and an error.
“Melissa Dubay comes out and hits the ball all over the place today,” Rychcik said. “I know the middle of our order had some hits, but they didn’t carry us today. They were a little bit silent and didn’t have the great impact. The 5-6-7-8 RBI day was somewhere else in our lineup, which is great.”
Senior tri-captain Chiya Louie also added a home run — her team-leading ninth of the year – in the seventh inning of the second game.
The Terriers also got another solid pitching performance from rookie hurler Megan Currier. In the first game, Currier gave up just one run in the first inning and cruised from there.
Currier also picked up the win in the second game, throwing 10 2/3 innings on the day. The Terrier workhorse took over in relief of senior Brittany Detwiler, who left the game with a recurrent shoulder injury.
Pitching with a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, Detwiler struck out Maine first baseman Kristie Hawkins before stepping off the mound in pain. After some coaxing from Rychcik, Detwiler was removed from the game in favor of Currier.
“Someone asked me what’s wrong with Brittany and I kidded, ‘It’s probably 12 years of pitching is what it is,'” Rychcik said. “I think she probably got a stinger in there. It hurt like crazy, there’s no doubt about it, and she’s begging to stay out there. But I want her to have more innings this year, and I don’t want to push.
“If we can give her a couple days off, that’s what I want to do,” he added. “I’m assuming she’ll be back this week and get some innings.”
The Terriers were scheduled to travel to Rhode Island tomorrow for a non-conference game against Brown University, but that game has been cancelled due to the unfavorable weather forecast. But the recurring theme of inclement weather hasn’t disrupted the Terriers’ momentum.
“I think this team’s getting pretty good at just, ‘whatever happens, happens,'” Rychcik said. “OK, we’re playing today, let’s play. Practicing today, let’s practice. They really haven’t gotten caught up in that frustration, and they go with the flow.”