Softball Sweeps Terriers, Wins Sixth Straight

Saturday, March 26

West Point, NY

1 PM

Army West Point

16-11, 0

Boston U

11-13, 0

Boston U

Army

Softball Sweeps Terriers, Wins Sixth Straight

March 26, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point softball team swept Boston University in its Patriot League opener Saturday afternoon at the Softball Complex by scores of 3-1 and 5-4. The two wins today elevated the Black Knights' unbeaten streak to six games.

"Today was a great start for us," said head coach Michelle DePolo. "Boston is a tough, competitive team. They've got a strong line up and Hynes is a tough pitcher, so the games were well earned. We've been focusing on what we need to do as a team to be successful and how each individual role contributes to that success. We played our game with solid pitching, great defense, and an offense that keeps pushing and putting runners on."

Renee Poirier helped secure the wins for Army with two saves on the day. She broke the record for single season saves that was previously set by Ashley Christian who totaled six in 2004. Poirier now ranks t-3rd in career saves.

Game one began with Mae Wadyka scoring off an RBI single by Ashley Yoo to put the Black Knights ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first. They would not relinquish that lead the rest of the game.

The Terriers (11-14, 2-0 PL) tied the game at the top of the second with a lead-off home run over the left field fence, but the Black Knights recorded three straight outs to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the second, the Cadets were in scoring position with runners at the corners, but they were caught stealing home and Boston kept the score tied 1-1.

It was three up, three down for both teams in the third which maintained the 1-all tie. Caroline Smith got out of a jam in the top of the fourth when the Terriers were posted up at second and third. Boston lined out to Gladys Esparza-Gallegos then were grounded out to Emily Gray to prevent the team from scoring any more runs.

Kristen McPeek's RBI single allowed Army to reclaim its lead at 2-1 as Emily Gray crossed the plate. The Terriers were denied any real scoring opportunities in the fifth. In the home half of the inning, Kasey McCravey scored on a distraction by Yoo to cushion the Black Knights' lead to 3-1.

Army had a bases loaded opportunity in the sixth inning, but the Terriers' defense denied the Black Knights from scoring. Army's ace, Poirier, then stepped into the circle for the Cadets to secure the victory. Boston never advanced passed first and Poirier had a ground out to close the game.

During the second contest, Army once again struck quickly and went ahead 2-0. Gray singled up the middle advancing Yoo to third and Wadyka home. Alee Rashenskas then had an RBI single up the middle sending Yoo home.

Neither team was able to convert runs in the second inning. The Terriers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third fueled by two sacrifice flies to center field.

The Black Knights came back in the home half of the fourth when Wadyka notched a single off an error by the Terrier's first basemen. McPeek and Carrie Reilly were able to garner runs on the play to reclaim a 4-3 lead for Army. Yoo padded the lead when she had an RBI single to send Wadyka home.

Boston gave the Cadets a scare in the top of the seventh when the team scored on single up the middle to bring the game within one again. Poirier's pitching, along with a solid defensive play by McCravey, clinched the sweep for the Black Knights.

"Our defense has just been outstanding recently," said DePolo. "We know the ball is going to be put in play so we rely a great deal on solid defensive play in order to keep us in tight games. Today was no exception."

Army totaled 10 hits in each game today along with five RBI. Yoo led the Black Knights with two RBI in two games, while McPeek, Gray and Rashenskas each had one. Smith was the winning pitcher in game one improving her record on the year to 6-5. Kristen West was the winning pitcher in game two moving her to 10-1.

"Our pitchers are all so different and equipped with a different arsenal," DePolo added. "I feel very confident putting any of our pitchers against any opponent. Our decisions mainly come when looking at match ups and situational play. This weekend is a different scenario because we have three games against a tough hitting team, which we haven't experienced yet."

With today's sweep, Army improved to 17-11 this season and 2-0 in the Patriot League. The Black Knights and Terriers will face each other on Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m. for the rubber game which will also be played at the Softball Complex.

For up-to-date information about Army softball, please follow @ArmyWP_Softball on Twitter and Instagram.

HOW TO FOLLOW GAME THREE VS. BU
LIVE VIDEO • http://campusinsiders.com/network/patriot_league/live
LIVE RESULTS • http://bit.ly/SBlivestats2016
PROGRAM • Army vs. Boston U.