The Boston University softball team swept Colgate University in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning the first game 5-3 and shutting out the Raiders (20-21, 7-5 Patriot League) 10-0 in the finale.
Despite the Terriers’ (33-11, 11-1 PL) impressive offensive showing — with 15 runs and 21 hits over 12 combined innings — senior pitcher Kasey Ricard stole the show. Ricard started both games and threw a no-hitter in the second game, a program-record sixth shutout of her career.
“There’s a reason that obviously she pitches so much,” said BU head coach Ashley Waters. “Kasey, in her time here, has earned the right to start as much as she wants.”
Though the Terriers had runners on base every inning in the first game, leaving many of them on base allowed the Raiders to keep it competitive.
Junior catcher Livia Christopher put BU on the board in the second, after which the Terriers added a run in the third, two in the second and one in the sixth on a solo home run from sophomore designated player Kieren McHugh.
BU stranded 13 runners in the game. After a two-run homer from Colgate junior center fielder Nora Megenity, it looked as if those missed opportunities could lead to the Terriers’ demise, but Ricard got Colgate sophomore shortstop Analisa Raffaelli to fly out to center field, securing a Terrier win in the opener.
In the second game, the Terriers fixed their failures to drive runners in from scoring positions.
“That was the message in between games,” Waters said. “We were getting on every single inning … if you’re getting on base, you have to execute, right? Someone has to cash in.”
And of course, it’s a little easier to hit when you have a three time Patriot League first-team award winner and two time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year toeing the rubber to toss her sixth career no-hitter.
“It’s always a great feeling,” Ricard said. “It means that the defense played really well behind me, and that we put up enough runs to make me comfortable and really be able to go at people. It was a full team effort and I was happy everything came together today.”
In the third inning, with the Terriers up 8-0, senior second baseman Brooke Deppiesse kept Ricard’s no-hitter alive, diving to catch an infield popup. Along with her steady presence at second base, Deppiesse had a big day at the plate recording a triple, two walks and three doubles over both games.
“Brooke is the best player in this league, and I will stand by that,” Waters said. “She’s the best defensive player, she’s one of the best offensive players.”
“Brooke plays the game exactly how BU softball players should play the game. She’s the perfect person to look at to emulate,” Waters added.
The Terriers completed the sweep over the Raiders with a 13-3 win on Sunday, and will travel across the Charles River to face Harvard on Tuesday.