No. RV/22 Oregon Eliminates No. 21/RV Softball, 8-2 - Boston University Athletics (2024)

NORMAN, Okla. –Trying to reach its first NCAA Regional Final since 2009, the No. 21/RV Boston University softball team had its season ended by No. RV/22 Oregon, 8-2, on Saturday night at Love's Field.

The Ducks (30-20) posted a 13-4 advantage in hits to earn a rematch with host and three-time defending national champion Oklahoma on Sunday, as the Terriers finished their historic 2024 campaign at 53-6-1 with a program and Patriot League record in victories. The 53 wins tied the 2002 UMass squad (53-12) for the most wins by an NCAA Division I program located in the Northeast.

Oregon started the day with a 6-3 loss to the Sooners and only held a 1-0 lead entering the fourth inning. The Ducks pulled away though by delivering a pair of multi-RBI homers. The Terriers earned an earlier 8-0 (5) run-rule victory over Horizon League champion Cleveland State and found themselves in danger of suffering a similar fate. Seniors Lauren Keleher and Lauren Nett both plated runs in the fifth and sixth, respectively, to avoid the shutout.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Keleher led off the game with a single, but Oregon came back with a ground out and back-to-back swinging strikeouts.
• The Ducks took the lead for good in the second by taking advantage of a throwing error with an RBI double.
• Oregon had an opportunity to extend the lead by adding a walk but strandedboth runners in scoring position against graduate student Allison Boaz (17-2).
• Highlighted by a three-run homer, Oregon posted five hits in the fourth to extend the lead to 4-0.
• The Ducks doubled their lead in the fifth with a two-run homer and two-out, two-RBI double.
• Senior Kate Pryor put BU on the scoreboard during the bottom half by earning a lead-off walk, advancing to second on graduate student Audrey Sellers' single, reaching third via wild pitch and scoring on Keleher's RBI sac fly to left.
• Oregon earned a pair of singlesin the top of the sixth against graduate student Lizzy Avery, but she finished with a strikeout and pop up.
• Nett added another run for BU by plating senior Raegan Kelly with a two-out RBI single toward second.
• The Ducks earned a pair of ground outs and line out in the seventh to seal the victory.

SENIOR NOTES

• The contest marked the final game for nine Terriers - Avery, Boaz, graduate student Caitlin co*ker, Keleher, Kelly, Nett, Pryor, senior Kayla Roncinand Sellers.
• Over the last four years, they claimed four Patriot League regular season titles with a combined conference record of 72-4 (.947) and hoisted three tournament trophies, all at home.
• They posted an overall record of 181-37-1 (.829) with 13 victories against Power 5 opponents, including a perfect 5-0 mark vs. Boston College.
• The group combined for 11 total PL major year-end awards and 16 NFCA All-Region honors with Roncin becoming the first BU infielder in program history to earn All-America recognition in 2023.