Boston University’s softball team began its run at the Carolina Classic with two losses on Friday, falling to Louisville and No. 16 South Carolina at Beckham Field in Columbia, South Carolina.
In the first game, Louisville defeated BU 3-0. The Cardinals scored early in the top of the first inning and maintained their lead throughout the game. Senior pitcher Kasey Ricard started for BU and allowed an RBI single in the opening frame. Although BU threatened in the second inning with back-to-back singles from senior Megan Coyle and freshman Madolyn Coupal, Louisville’s Alyssa Zabala struck out a batter to keep her team ahead.
Louisville added insurance runs later in the game, capitalizing on a sixth-inning error for an RBI double and scoring again after a seventh-inning triple and failed pickoff attempt against sophomore Danika Nell. Freshman Irys Kline tried to spark a rally for BU with a lead-off single in the final inning, but Zabala closed out the win for Louisville.
In their second matchup of the day, BU faced South Carolina and lost 6-2. The Gamecocks took control with a lead-off single, stolen base, and RBI double against Nell in the second inning. Two fielding errors by BU helped South Carolina extend its advantage to 3-0.
BU loaded the bases in the fourth inning but could not score as Emma Friedel struck out a Terrier batter to end the threat. South Carolina added another run in their half of the fourth before BU reliever Ganino recorded two outs to limit further damage.
Sophomore Kieren McHugh reached base three times during the game but was left stranded each time. In the sixth inning, South Carolina nearly ended the game early by run rule after hitting a two-out, two-RBI triple; however, Ganino forced a line out to keep BU alive into the seventh.
BU avoided being shut out twice in one day—a situation that has not occurred since 2020—when sophomore Cara Edwards walked and sophomore pinch-runner Ava Johnson scored on senior Brooke Deppiesse’s RBI double. Sophomore Chloe Dryden also scored on a wild pitch after reaching third base on Deppiesse’s hit.
South Carolina improved its all-time record against BU to 6-0 by striking out two more Terriers to close out their win.
The tournament schedule has been adjusted due to weather concerns. Boston University will play just two more games: another matchup against Louisville at 12:30 p.m., followed by another meeting with South Carolina at 3 p.m.
