BOX SCORE
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford softball team was blanked by the Boston University Terriers, 9-0, in five innings in the final match-up of its three-game series on Monday afternoon.
Boston University (27-12, 9-3 America East) wasted no time as it jumped ahead of Hartford (7-30, 2-10 AE) with two runs in its first at-bats. The Terriers' first run came in on a wild pitch by Siera Sheehan while an RBI double from Megan Volpano put the second tally on the scoreboard.
In the top of the third frame, three-straight walks issued by Sheehan came back to haunt her when Chelsea Kehr blasted a grand slam that extended the Terriers' advantage from two to six runs. Rookie Amy Ekart added one more run to Boston University's lead when she notched a double down the right field line, scoring Brittany Clendenny who singled up the middle of the infield in the previous at-bat.
The Terriers cushioned their lead with two more runs in the top of the fourth stanza to extend their advantage to 9-0. Junior Erica Casacci singled to left field with one down and centerfielder April Setterlund followed with a fielder's choice. With two down, Volpano ripped a double down the right field line, earning RBI numbers two and three on the game and pushing her team's lead to nine runs.
The Hawks threatened to cut into the Terriers' lead in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore catcher Jordan Haines connected for a lead-off single, and after reaching second on a wild pitch, advanced 60 more feet to the hot corner on a two-out single off the bat of freshman Amber Andrews. Hartford could not muster up a run off of Boston University pitcher Erin Schuppert, however, as the sophomore retired the Hawks' next batter to earn the shut out win.
Sheehan threw for 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs on five hits in the setback. Nicole Springer, a sophomore, worked the final 2.1 innings, allowing a pair of runs on two hits and striking out one batter. In the clean slate, Schuppert scattered just three hits over five innings and recorded seven strike outs.
Hartford returns to the diamond on Thurs., Apr. 28 when it welcomes in-state rival Sacred Heart to West Hartford for a doubleheader (3:00 p.m.).
