Softball Falters in Midweek Twin Bill at BU

Links: Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)
 
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.– Despite a close opening contest, the Merrimack softball team fell in both games of the doubleheader against Boston University in a non-league set on Tuesday.
 
The Basics
Score: Game 1: Merrimack 2, Boston University 10 | Final (6 inn.)
Score: Game 2: Merrimack 0, Boston University 10 | Final (5 inn.)
Records: Merrimack Warriors (6-8, 2-1 NEC) | Boston University (14-13, 0-0 Patriot)
Location: BU Softball Field | Boston, Mass.   

Rapid Recap (Game One)

• Boston University notched three hits and their first run of the day in the first, with a single putting the Terriers leadoff hitter aboard. A wild pitch moved her to second, advancing to third on a ground ball as a single brought her in to score.
• Sydney Shimkus singled in the second, moving over to third on back-to-back ground balls to work into scoring position but was left on base.
• The Terriers scored again in the second, starting off with a walk and stolen base for a runner at second. A double to left put two on the board, as a runner caught trying to steal second brought in another run.
• Merrimack responded in the third as Hannah Scarano singled to center to bring around the top of the lineup. After a strikeout, Sarah Reisler walked with Scarano moving to second. Ellen Hubbard put the ball into play, reaching on a fielder's choice as BU went for Reisler at second. Scarano used her speed to advance to third on the contact, coming in to score on an error by the shortstop to get on the board.
• The Warriors continued to press in the bottom of the inning, sending all three batters down in order to continue their efforts at bat. Shimkus singled to right to start things off, advancing on a sacrifice infield hit. Another grounder brought Shimkus to third, but was left aboard.
• BU scored two more runs in the fourth on a two-rung single before Sofia Palyan came into the circle as she worked a strikeout to close out the inning.
• In the fifth the Warriors continued to pressure in a close affair with Scarano singling to third, joined on base as Courtney Lanpher worked a walk. Reisler continued her pressure in the two-spot in the lineup with a single to second to load the bases.
• After a pitching change and strikeout, Jenna Wike served a single through the left side. Scarano scored the second run for the Warriors, with baserunners all advancing again. Shimkus reached on a fielder's choice to advance the runners once again, with Lanpher getting tagged out at home as a strikeout ended the surge.
• The Terriers scored an inning later with a sac fly, adding four runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth to close the game out for the hosts.

 
Rapid Recap (Game Two)

• Merrimack's infield was sharp to start the second game, converting three grounders to shortstop for three straight outs.
• BU opened the scoring in the second inning, with a single bringing in a runner at third. An inning later, a bunt brought in the second run before a single to right brought in two RBIs for the Terriers before bringing in a fifth before the end of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth the Terriers added on four more runs to push the score to double digits.
• Jenna Wike was the first baserunner of the day as she skied a ball to center field that was bobbled by the outfielder to leave her safe at second to start off the fifth, but was held on base with a trio of strikeouts.

 
Notes and Numbers

• Game 1: WP – Allison Boaz (8-4) | LP- Bry Michitson (3-2)
• Game 2: WP – Lizzy Avery (5-8) LP- Madie Fornwalt (3-3)

 
Up Next:
Merrimack is set to return to North Andover to begin a seven game home stand with a doubleheader against Holy Cross on Thursday, March 24 with games set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Martone-Mejail Field.   
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