%20(1).png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Boston University
Players Mentioned
Boston University Sinks Softball, 3-2, with Seventh-Inning Run
March 16, 2007 | Softball
TAMPA, Fla. -- After fighting back from a late two-run deficit, the Princeton softball team dropped a difficult game Friday afternoon at the University of South Florida's Speedline Invitational, falling 3-2 to Boston University on a seventh-inning run.
The loss dropped Princeton's record to 5-5 following the spring break opener, while Boston University improved to 11-5.
Princeton starter Kristen Schaus had a no-hitter going through two outs in the bottom of the fifth before Terrier leadoff hitter Shayne Lotito homered to left-center, also driving in Rachel Moeller, who had been hit by a pitch. It wouldn't be the last key hit Lotito had.
Though Lotito's home run gave Boston University a 2-0 lead, Princeton soon sparked a rally when Calli Jo Varner and Samantha O'Hara smacked back-to-back one-out home runs, tying the game at 2-2 in the top of the sixth.
Princeton had a chance to go ahead in the top of the seventh, but came up short. Jackie Araneo dropped a single just inside the rightfield foul line to lead off the inning and moved to second on a groundout by Collette Abbott, but the Terriers got a flyout and groundout and the game remained tied.
Schaus allowed BU only four baserunners until the home run in the fifth inning. She stranded a leadoff walk in the sixth, but the Terriers didn't let a leadoff runner in the seventh slip.
After BU's Brooke Hudson started the final inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice on the next at bat, Schaus snared a comebacker and was one out away from pushing the game to extra innings. But Lotito dropped a hit into centerfield, where Stephanie Steel fielded it and threw home with a decent chance to get Moeller hustling around third. The throw, however, was cut off and Moeller scored, ending the game.
Princeton out-hit Boston University 8-3, but left nine runners on base. Five of those runners were stranded in scoring position.
Schaus (2-4) earned all three runs, allowing three hits, three walks and two hit batters while striking out seven. Megan Currier (3-0) earned both Princeton runs while scattering the eight hits, walking three and fanning three more.
The game was due to start at 10 a.m., but a couple hours of rain wet the fields and the game was pushed back to near 5 p.m. While Schaus returned after the one inning that was played in the morning, Terrier starter Cassidy Hardy threw one clean inning and didn't return after the delay.
Princeton will finish pool play Saturday with back-to-back games against Indiana University and the University at Buffalo starting at 10 a.m. before heading into Sunday's bracket play.