Boston University advanced to the title game of the America East Softball Championship with a 19-6 win over University of Maine Friday at University Field on the Stony Brook campus. Jennifer Shields led the way for the Terriers with two home runs, including a grand slam, and six runs batted in.
Box Score
The Terriers chased Maine starter Sarah Bennis with five runs in the top of the first.? Jaime Haas led off with a walk, and reached second on a Black Bear error on a fielder's choice by Abbey Pauley. Pauley and Haas advanced to second and third, respectively, on a wild pitch before Haas scored on a error on the Maine catcher. After a Julie Henneke walk, Liz Alley doubled home Pauley and Henneke to make the score 3-0 in favor of Boston University. Jennifer Shields followed with a two-run home run to chase Bennis and give the Terriers the early 5-0 lead.
Boston University added a run off Maine's Jenna Merchant in the top of the second, when Erin McDonald drew a bases loaded walk to score Haas.
The Terriers extended their lead to 13-0 in the top of the third, plating seven runs on just two hits.? Josey Mendez walked and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Haas walked and stole second. Pauley then hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Mendez. Pauley stole second, putting runners on second and third before Henneke hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Haas. Alley followed with a double, scoring Pauley. McDonald and Shields each drew a walk to load the bases. Kristin Knesek then hit a grand slam to left center, clearing the bases.
Maine got on the board in the bottom of the third, plating two runs on a Jenna Merchant RBI double, driving home Grimm who had reached on a single, and a Jessica Brady RBI single, scoring Merchant.
Boston University added six runs in the top of the fourth to go up 19-2.? Tiffany Finateri led off with a double. Haas reached on a error by the Black Bear SS. Pauley doubled home Finateri and Haas, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Henneke reached on a Maine error, stole second, and advances to third on a throwing error. Tara Hodge and DeKenya Williams walked to load the bases, setting up a Shields grand slam.
The Black Bears scored three times in the bottom of the fourth, as Sara Asadoorian led off with a single, and advanced to third on a Niki Taylor double. Grimm singled to load the bases and a Sarah Bennis single drove home two. Provost singled to reload the bases, and a Brittany Cheney walk forced in a run.
Maine added a run in the bottom of the fifth on a Grimm solo home run to round out the scoring.
The game was halted after the fifth inning due to the fact that the Terriers lead was greater than eight runs.
Boston University broke or tied eight America East Championship records on the day.? The Terriers set single-game team records with 19 runs, five doubles, three home runs, and 18 RBI.? Shields broke two individual single-game records with her two home runs and six RBI. Haas's four runs scored set a new standard, while Alley's two doubles tied the championship mark.
Boston University will play Albany Saturday at 12 noon for the America East Championship, with a deciding game to follow (if necessary).
Box Score
America East Softball Championship
May 8-10, University Field, Stony Brook, N.Y.
Thursday, May 8
Game 1--#2 Albany 1, #3 Maine 0
Game 2--#1 Boston University 2, #4 Stony Brook 0
Friday, May 9
Game 3--Albany 3, Boston University 0
Game 4--Maine 5, Stony Brook 2
Game 5--Boston University 19, Maine 6
Saturday, May 10
Game 6--Albany vs. Boston University (championship), 12 noon
Game 7--If Necessary (to follow)