Softball overcomes seven-run deficit to beat BC

After giving up seven runs on three hits and three errors in just one inning, the Boston University softball team was one run away from potentially being mercy-ruled. However, a throw from senior center fielder April Setterlund cut off the eighth Boston College run at the plate and put an end to the inning giving the Terriers the opportunity for a comeback.

“Wow,” said BU coach Shawn Rychcik of the high scoring game. “One of the more different games I’ve ever had here. A wild one I guess is the way to put it.”

The scoring began in the top of the second inning when BC senior Gemma Ypparila doubled to center field with one out. Then, with two outs, sophomore Maria Pandolfo singled into right field to score the first run of the game.

The Terriers (17-8, 3-0 America East) responded in the bottom of the third inning when redshirt freshman Jayme Mask had a bunt single to get on base with one out. Junior Erica Casacci singled to right field, moving Mask to third. Setterlund added a sacrifice fly to center field to score the tying run.

The fourth inning, however, was when the Eagles (7-19, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) were able to bust the game wide open. The inning started out when junior Brittany Wilkins reached base on an error by freshman short stop Brittany Clendenny. The next batter, freshman Tory Speer doubled to center field scoring Wilkins.

After two walks loaded the bases, senior Carolyn Jones reached on an error by BU freshman third baseman Megan Volpano, scoring another unearned run. After another run scored on an error, sophomore Nicole D’Argento hit a three-run homerun to bury the Terriers. With two outs and a runner on first, Speer was up to bat again and singled to center field, but Setterlund picked up the ball and threw to the plate to stop the Eagles from scoring the eighth run of the inning.

“We’re young, we make mistakes…you know that’s kind of who we are,” Rychcik said. “Our identity is we’ve made some errors this year. We’re trying to get better.”

In the bottom half of the inning, BU began chipping away at the Eagles lead. Volpano led off the inning with an infield single. After sophomore pitcher Whitney Tuthill struck out swinging and senior Caitlin Rentler lined out to center field, the Terriers started a two-out rally.

Junior Melanie Delgado singled to left field, moving Volpano over to second base. Then Clendenny singled, moving all of the runners up a spot. Mask walked, bringing in Volpano. Then Casacci stepped up to the plate and ripped a double to right field, scoring Delgado and Clendenny and cutting the lead to 7-4.

The Eagles responded with one more run in the fifth inning but would be essentially silenced for the rest of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Terriers scored four runs on three hits and two BC errors. Clendenny singled with one out to score Rentler and Tuthill to cut the lead to 9-7. Mask came up to the plate and blooped the ball over the center fielder’s head scoring Clendenny. Mask utilized her speed to score and bring the Terriers to within one run.

U would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Volpano singled to center field scoring Setterlund who had reached base on an error. Tuthill hit a double and senior Kelley Engman walked to load up the bases once again. Clendenny was then walked to give the Terriers the 10-9 lead.

Freshman pitcher Holli Floetker came into the game, giving up one hit and striking out two to earn the save.

“The girls play and perform but I don’t know if they really know how good they are,” Rychcik said. “There’s a lot of talent. I said it at the beginning of the year, they are the most talented team I’ve had and that’s with five, six freshmen in the lineup. We’re going to have our ups and downs. We’re going to have our moments but skill-wise, I know we’re good and that’s saying a lot because I’ve had some good teams here.”