The Minutewomen (16-14, 7-3 Atlantic 10) have used the fuel of a recent home stretch, going 6-0 at the UMass Softball Complex, to improve into a tie for third place in the A-10 standings. If the recent success is any indication, the squad seems to be hitting its stride as it eyes postseason play in about a month.
Standing in the way of extending their season-high winning streak are the Eagles (10-22, 5-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) who come into Wednesday’s game slumping, having lost seven out of their last 10, including falling victim to a three-game sweep to Maryland this past weekend.
Still, UMass coach Elaine Sortino, knowing well that the ACC is regarded as one of the strongest softball conferences in the country, isn’t concerned with BC’s record.
“Regardless of their record, the inter-regional rivalry between the two schools has been long standing for a long, long time,” said Sortino. “I don’t think either of us are having a great year offensively. We could be coming into the contest hitting .320 and they’re hitting .202, and we come out of there with a one-run game. They play in a strong conference, and it’s a good inter-regional rivalry … always has been.”
That inter-regional rivalry has been dominated by the Minutewomen, who hold a 44-4 all-time edge against the Eagles, and have won 13-straight matchups since 2004.
To continue its streak, the Maroon and White will once again look to pitcher Sara Plourde to provide impressive pitching from the circle. The junior has tossed three no-hitters in her last four starts. For the season, she boasts a record of 14-10, a 1.41 ERA and 282 strikeouts in 164.1 innings pitched.
“It’s been a slow but steady comeback,” said Sortino. “Every day we’re getting a little bit better in terms of speed, and keeping it. I think that her ball movement and her spins are getting sharper … and then the third piece which is really, really important is, [and] I think everyday she gets a little bit more consistent in terms of her pitch location.”
Although Plourde seems to be back in form, it will be up to the offense to give her the run support she needs. Recently, that support has been there as the Minutewomen have outscored their opponents, 26-8, over their seven-game winning streak dating back to March 30.
Orchestrating the effort, quietly but methodically, has been senior Audrey Boutin. She won’t dazzle with flashy home run numbers, but she does lead the team with a .311 batting average and a .410 on-base-percentage, including two home runs and 12 RBIs in all 30 of her starts.
“We’ve definitely turned a corner [offensively],” said Boutin. We’re really getting there, we’re really hitting the ball hard, we’re swinging at good pitches [and] we look a lot more comfortable and stronger at the plate, so we’re really coming around.”
The UMass offense will try to continue to turn the corner and feast off of a BC pitching staff that yields an ERA of 4.47 this season. The likely starter will be Allison Gage, who holds a record of 4-9, a 3.97 ERA and has 48 strikeouts through 97 innings.
The Eagles could do most of their damage from the plate, as they have hit 38 round-trippers this season, which is over twice as many as the Minutewomen (17).
Leading the attack for BC are Tory Speer and Brittany Wilkins. The duo has produced 18 home runs and 53 RBIs combined and a .340 and .337 batting average, respectively, so far this season.
“They’ve always come after us,” said Boutin. “I know going there, they’re going to have the fans on their side, but we’re going to be coming after them just as hard.”
The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from Shea Softball Field in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Stephen Hewitt can be reached at [email protected].
