Boston University sophomore Liz Alley didn’t disappoint in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Binghamton University. The left-handed slugger sent the ball over the right-field wall twice, hitting her ninth and 10th home runs of the season and breaking the BU record for homers in a season.
Alley’s two long balls powered the Terriers (17-23, 5-1 America East) to 4-3 and 1-0 wins in the first two games of the three-game series against the Bearcats (12-14-1, 5-5). But the Terriers couldn’t complete the sweep on Sunday, falling behind in the first inning and losing 7-1 – BU’s first loss in its last 11 games against Binghamton.
Leadoff batter Abbey Pauley slapped a single in the first inning of game one and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by shortstop Jamie Haas. Pauley ended up not needing the extra base because Alley followed and launched the ball over the fence.
“Liz Alley stood up to the plate today and was phenomenal,” BU coach Amy Hayes said Saturday.
The Terriers jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and two more in the third, then surviving a late Binghamton three-run rally in the seventh inning.
“We’ve got an out, bottom of the order, let’s just get this done and get out of here,” Hayes said. “Frustration came when the tying run went to second. We can’t have that.”
Freshman Ashlee Freeman (11-11), who completed her 21st game of the season, halted the Bearcats’ last gasp, notching two strikeouts before Binghamton right fielder Leigh Ann Savidge popped to short to end the game. Freeman matched her career high with seven strikeouts and allowed only five hits and two earned runs.
Scoring was difficult for both teams in the second game. The game was scoreless until the seventh inning, when BU hurler Brittany Detwiler (4-8) pitched herself out of a jam. After a walk and an error put two Bearcats on base, Detwiler struck out the next two batters. She walked one more – loading the bases – before another Savidge pop out ended the inning.
Detwiler was impressive on offense as well. She led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to center. Pinch-runner Tara Hodge advanced to third on an error and reached home on a single by Pauley. It was Pauley’s second hit of the game and fifth of the day.
“Far and away, Brittany was the name of the game today,” Hayes said. “If Britt pitches the way she did, I think [Detwiler and Freeman] are going to be two very tough pitchers for the next three years.”
Detwiler started Sunday’s game but was pulled in the seventh after allowing seven earned runs on eight hits.
“[Saturday]’s game was a lot more comfortable that today’s,” Detwiler said Sunday. “Today, I just didn’t feel as comfortable. I was a little sore, because I haven’t pitched that much in a while.”
A pair of wild pitches in the first inning allowed Binghamton designated player Marisa Destasio to score.
“When you do that, giving up a run in the first inning without giving up a hit, that’s pretty tough,” Hayes said. “It puts a lot of pressure on your pitcher. I think [Detwiler] just got overwhelmed and didn’t really think about where she was there in the later innings.”
BU’s only run came in the second inning when Williams scored on Detwiler’s single to left-center.
“I’m really confident at the plate right now,” Detwiler said. “I feel comfortable up there and I just do my thing.”
Binghamton scored two runs in the fifth inning and four in the sixth. With runners on first and second, Binghamton second baseman Nicole Vitello cranked a three-run homer.
“If I felt like we were fighting hard every day, that would be one thing,” Hayes said. “I think we have some people that are and some people that are thinking about the wrong things.”
The Terriers hit the road today for a non-conference game against the University of Connecticut (18-18). BU then returns home Wednesday for a doubleheader against the University of Vermont.
