Clearwater, Fla. – Boston University scored three runs in the top of the first inning and despite a game effort from Upstate, the runs held up as the Terriers took a 4-2 victory over the Spartans in the nightcap of the tournament action on Saturday at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Park.
Upstate fell to 20-3 with the loss and will take on Central Michigan Sunday morning at 11:15 to close out the tournament. Boston improved to 8-5 with the win.
Boston struck first in the second game. Chelsea O'Connor doubled with one out and moved to third on Megan Volpano's double to left. With runners on second and third, Amy Eckart singled up the middle to score O'Connor for the game's first run.
After Upstate starter Lacey Dinney (Hannon, Ontario) struck out with the next batter, Emily Roesch doubled to drive in a pair of runs and give the Terriers a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first.
Upstate fought back in the third inning. Kendall Settlemyre (Hickory, N.C.) and Hayley Reinfeld (Parkland, Fla.) each singled to start the inning and moved over to second and third on a passed ball with one out. Another passed ball allowed Settlemyre to score from third and Reinfeld moved to third. Ericka Harris (Piedmont, S.C.) then scored Reinfeld from third with a sacrifice fly to center to get Upstate within 3-2 after three innings.
Upstate's best opportunity to tie the game came in the bottom of the sixth when Harris walked with one out. Pinch runner Katelyn Molkenthin (Valrico, Fla.) advanced to second on a ground out and Cheyenne Griffin (Moore, S.C.) singled to put runners on second and third. Pinch runner Erin Schattle (Goose Creek, S.C.) stole second to put runners on second and third. However, Boston got a strikeout to end the inning and maintain its 3-2 lead.
Dinney had settled down after allowing three runs in the first inning. Boston, though, added to its lead when O'Connor doubled with two outs and Volpano hit a ground-rule double to score O'Connor to give the Terriers a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh.
Boston starter Holli Floetker retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win for Boston U. She improved to 7-2 on the year. Dinney fell to 7-2 on the year.
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