Brown University Softball’s Rally Falls Short to Boston University, 7-3

Photo is courtesy of Brown University

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut its deficit in half, but Boston University held on for a 7-3 win in a single game at Brown Softball Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Bears (16-12) pulled within 6-3 after scoring three runs in the last of the sixth before the visiting Terriers (12-18) tacked on a run in the top of the seventh and did not allow a run in the final frame.

For the Bears, junior Christina Andrews (Southlake, Texas) drove in a run with a triple while
freshman Ashli Lotz (Austin, Texas) tallied an RBI and a run scored, and junior Julia Schoenewald (Jamison, Pa.) chipped in an RBI. Sophomore Yeram Park (Arcadia, Calif.) hit a double, and senior Janet Leung (Mississauga, Ontario) scored a run.

In the circle, sophomore Katie Orona (Pueblo, Colo.) pitched 3.1 innings in relief and allowed just one run on four hits with three strikeouts. Junior starter Leah Nakashima (San Jose, Calif.) took the loss (3-6), permitting two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Junior Gina Chieffallo (Eynon, Pa.) tossed 1.1 innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits.

BU's Melanie Russell (2-6) picked up the win, hurling a complete-game 7.0 innings and surrendering three runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

The Bears began their rally in the last of the sixth as Leung reached on a fielder's choice and Park doubled to put runners on second and third with one out. Lotz then sent an RBI single to center field before Schoenewald followed with a sacrifice fly to center. Andrews capped the rally, plating Lotz with her triple to left center.

The Terriers made it 7-3 in the top of the seventh with Kaitlin Sahlinger lifting a solo home run to left center field.

The visitors opened the scoring with two runs in the top of the third. Jilee Schanda drove in the game's first run with a single up the middle prior to Gabi Martinez sending an RBI single to right field.

BU pushed its edge to 6-0 behind four runs in the top of the fourth. Moriah Connolly hit an RBI single to left, Martinez brought in a run with a walk, and the Terriers scratched across two unearned runs in the frame.

Both teams decided to add the game to their schedules earlier in the week to make up for previously cancelled games against other opponents.

Next, Brown hosts Dartmouth College for a pair of Ivy League North Division doubleheaders on Saturday, Apr. 16 and Sunday, Apr. 17 with both game days beginning at 12:30 p.m.