Barbie Pierce had three doubles and drove in two runs and Shana Riggleman scattered six hits as Penn State defeated Boston University, 7-0, in an elimination game at the NCAA Softball Regional in Fullerton, Calif.
The Nittany Lions (31-22) advance in the eight-team regional, while the Terriers close the season at 33-23.
An RBI groundout by Kelley Galiger in the first inning and RBI hits by Steph Viola and Pierce in the second gave the Nittany Lions a 3-0 lead after two. Penn State added two more runs in the fourth on an RBI double by Pierce and an error. Pierce started another rally in the sixth when she doubled and was lifted for pinch-runner Scarlett Neal. Neal advanced to second on a single by Gina Bianchini. Neal and Bianchini then executed a double steal to give the Nittany Lions a 6-0 lead before Bianchini scored on a sacrifice fly for the final margin of victory.
Manwhile, Riggleman (12-3) limited the Terriers to six singles, including two each by Julie Henneke and Erin McDonald. Riggleman struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Tiffany Finateri (7-8) started and pitched 3.2 innings for the Terriers allowing five runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout. Henneke, who had pitched a complete game Thursday in the Terriers' 1-0 loss to Oklahoma State, closed out the game with 3.1 innings of relief. Henneke allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts.