Chemistry aids BU softball during 10-game streak

With only five games remaining this season, the Boston University softball team set itself up for a high seed in the upcoming Patriot League Tournament with a weekend sweep of Lafayette College. The three wins against the Leopards extended the Terriers recent success, as the team now has won 10 games in a row.

The Terriers (29-18, 11-4 Patriot League) six victories against Patriot League opponents Colgate University and Lafayette (10-32, 4-14 Patriot League) have been a major reason why BU holds the second-best record in the conference behind Lehigh University.

BU coach Kathryn Gleason said she believes a wide range of improvements has led to the teams recent success.

Our offense has been consistent from day one, Gleason said. Having one through nine being able to come through in any key moment. Its somebody else each and every single day and thats a big strength and our defense has been strong. Our pitching staff, each one of them brings something a little bit different, and thats a huge strength of ours that we can have three different pitchers that can hold the other team.

Through their winning streak, the Terriers have outscored their opponents 64-15, thanks in large part to the return of sophomore pitcher Melanie Russell and freshman pitcher Makinna Akers. The two hurlers have helped limit the workload of sophomore pitcher Lauren Hynes, who leads the Terriers with 152.1 innings pitched on the year.

Russell pitched in Sundays finale against the Leopards, going the distance en route to the victory. She allowed just three hits, one run and struck out nine in the Terriers 10th consecutive victory. Akers pitched in relief of Hynes in the first game of the doubleheader. The freshman went seven innings and struck out seven before the Terriers won in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Even with the pitchers success, Gleason said the team has not reached its peak.

I dont think were playing our best yet, Gleason said. I dont think we have been. We just keep building and building and building and getting better each game and building momentum and I think thats been a key going into the tournament. We still have a lot of games left.

Even with a slow start to the season that saw the Terriers sit at .500 in mid-April, the teams chemistry and tenacity played a major role in righting the ship during the final stretch of the 2014 campaign.

Its been the utmost importance, Gleason said of the teams chemistry. Its a long season, 56 games, its a long time to be inside in January and February and most of March. This season has brought challenges with the weather and they just respond.

Read more:
Chemistry aids BU softball during 10-game streak