Following an actionless week due to unplayable conditions, the Boston University softball team hopes to get back on track with a three-game series at home against the College of the Holy Cross beginning on Saturday.
In the midst of an eight-game losing skid, the Terriers (8-20, 0-3 Patriot League) look forward to getting back on the winning side.
“We’ve just been working, going back to the grind in practice and just trying to get ourselves in a better spot,” said BU head coach Ashley Waters. “It will be great to compete and get our offense going and pitchers in a better spot.”
BU was set to play three games against University of Maine this past weekend, at Harvard University on Tuesday and Providence College on Thursday, but inclement weather leaves the Terriers not having played since March 30.
Tough conditions have marred the start to the season, especially for infielders.
“In terms of our infield we are coming out of the Track and Tennis Center or we are coming off of turf,” Waters said. “Every time we get on dirt, it seems like something new is exposed. We have yet to have a practice on our field since the fall, which is really difficult. We are just hoping for good weather and to get the tarp off this week.”
Senior shortstop Moriah Connolly paces the Terriers with a .359 average and 24 stolen bases and is riding a four-game hitting streak. The leadoff hitter has been successful in her final campaign both as a leader in the dugout and on the field.
“She’s someone that just shows up and plays hard every single day,” Waters said. “The best is yet to come from her. I can’t say enough about Moriah, in terms of her speed, in terms of her love for the game she just gets it and is someone that is definitely our catalyst.”
Senior outfielder/catcher Gabi Martinez boasts a .306 average for BU along with four homeruns and 17 RBI.
Sophomore Alex Heinen, the Terriers’ starting catcher, leads the team with five homers and is tied with Martinez with a team-leading 17 RBI.
Freshman Kali Magane and senior Makinna Akers have seen a majority of the time in the pitching circle for the Terriers. Magane comes into the contest at 4-8 with a 4.32 ERA across a team-high 79.1 innings. Akers leads the team in appearances, ERA and has surrendered the fewest walks. The Roseburg, Oregon native is 4-6 with a 3.52 ERA across 20 appearances and 57.2 innings.
The Crusaders (5-16, 2-1 Patriot League) have been much more fortunate with the weather, as they are coming off a weekend series against the United States Military Academy in which they won two of three games.
Sophomore shortstop Taylor Wahler received Corvias Patriot League Player of the Week honors and leads the team with a .368 average. She is also one of four Crusaders batting above .300 in the early going.
Alexandra Held, Katy Watson and Olivia Sloane will see time in the circle for Holy Cross. Held is a sophomore and leads the team just shy of 60 innings pitched. Watson and Sloane have each pitched around 34 innings, and Held’s 5.43 ERA is a team-best. Teams are batting .327 against the Crusaders, so Terrier bats will be crucial to a successful weekend.
Inconsistency has plagued the Terriers thus far, as BU has been outscored 54-19 during its eight-game skid, but Waters sees the opportunity for improvement in all aspects of the game.
“It’s a process,” Waters said. “It seems each week it’s something new. At some points our pitchers have been great, at points they haven’t been. Sometimes our hitting has been great, at points it hasn’t been. If we can put all the pieces together, we’ll be successful.”
