After both games on Friday proved to be pitcher’s duels that were separated by one inning of scoring each, Boston College softball returned to Harrington Athletics Village on Saturday to face No. 12 Florida State in another doubleheader.
The Eagles (5-14, 1-8 Atlantic Coast) showed signs of life after a doubleheader riddled with errors on Friday, but they dropped the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader 4-1 to the Seminoles (19-6, 7-2).
Building off her strong pitching performance on Friday, BC pitcher Susannah Anderson was flawless through her first four innings of work, scattering just two walks and retiring eight batters in order.
The Eagles’ defense was solid behind Anderson. The Seminoles capitalized on defensive errors during Friday’s game, but BC prevented any early potential rallies by the visiting team through impressive defensive work.
Nicole Giery ended the first inning with an incredible diving play up the middle, which, had she not made the grab, likely would have led to an early offensive drive. The Seminoles proved on Friday that their hitting is contagious, but the Eagles did not make the same mistake twice so early on in the series.
Gianna Boccagno also showed off her arm, throwing out Florida State’s Sydney Sherrill on a stolen base attempt at second. The Seminoles would not learn their lesson, as D’Aun Riggs was also later thrown out in the seventh inning. The latter throw was even more impressive for Boccagno, as the pitch was in the dirt and she threw from behind the batter.
Emme Martinez grabbed everything that came to her in the hot corner, which mirrored her solid performance from the day prior. She had five assists in the field during Saturday’s first game, showing how valuable she is on both sides of the diamond.
After three and a half innings of scoreless softball, BC broke through with a solo home run from senior Jenna Ergle. The run gave the Eagles their first lead of the weekend, but the offense couldn’t continue the momentum, and the rest of the side was retired in order.
Florida State starter Danielle Watson was cruising on the mound, striking out four Eagles in a row and retiring six straight. Her outing ended after Ergle’s home run, but her solid performance was enough to propel her team to victory.
Anderson’s early-game success against the Seminole offense ended after five scoreless innings, as Florida State tallied four runs in the sixth inning. After capitalizing on defensive mishaps in both of Friday’s games, the Seminoles finally got their chance when two walks in the sixth inning opened the door for the heart of the order.
A single by Anna Shelnutt to right field scored Devyn Flaherty from second, and she advanced to second on a misplaced throw from the outfield. Sherrill followed suit, sending a screaming ground ball to second base which Giery could not handle. Two runs scored on the hit, and the Seminoles continued to capitalize on misplays from BC.
Ellie Mataya made an outstanding play in center field with a diving catch on a low liner, but Sherrill tagged up from second to third, and an error on the throw led to the fourth Seminole run, and four runs were all the Seminoles needed on Saturday afternoon.
Featured Image by Ikram Ali / Heights Editor
