Offense Comes Alive as Hoosiers Defeat Boston College, 8-3

Saturday, February 17

Atlanta, GA

10:00 AM ET

Indiana University

1-7

Boston College

2-6

Indiana

Boston College

Offense Comes Alive as Hoosiers Defeat Boston College, 8-3

2/17/2018 2:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ATLANTA, Ga. – Indiana Softball collected its first win under head coach Shonda Stanton on Saturday as the Hoosiers defeated Boston College in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, 8-3.

The eight runs are a season high for Indiana, who was led by a 3-for-4 outing from sophomore Gabbi Jenkins and a career-tying three RBI from sophomore Katie Lacefield.

Boston College struck first in the second inning, sparked by a leadoff double from Lexi DiEmmanuele. She was brought home after a pair of Hoosier errors on a ball popped up by Emme Martinez, which was dropped by Indiana. Martinez scored on a fielder's choice by Annie Murphy to push the lead to 2-0.

Indiana answered with a big third inning, plating four runs to take a 4-2 lead. The four runs are the most in an inning for IU this season. Senior Rachel O'Malley became the first Hoosier baserunner of the game after drawing a one-out walk. After Jenkins beat the throw from third to earn a single, senior Rebecca Blitz walked to load the bases. A walk to senior Taylor Uden brought O'Malley home and cut the Boston College lead to 2-1. Lacefield then cleared the bags as she roped a three-run double down the left field line.

"Yesterday we talked about how we were one big hit and one big pitch away from winning a ballgame," said Stanton. "Today, we did an incredible job of drawing walks and chasing their starter. I was really impressed with us being selective at the plate and loading the bases up. You can't say enough about Lacefield coming up and clearing the bases. That was huge."

In the next frame, IU took advantage of a pair of Boston College errors and expanded the lead to 6-2. After freshman Annika Baez singled to lead-off the fourth, O'Malley was hit by a pitch. Freshman Taylor Lambert's chopper proved too much for Boston College to handle as she reached on an error and the ball got away from the first baseman, allowing pinch runner Sarah Galovich to score. As the Eagles looked to recover, an error by the Boston College third baseman gave enough time for O'Malley to come home.

Boston College got one run back in the bottom of the fourth as Martinez singled then scored on an IU fielding error to cut the IU lead to 6-3.

The Eagles looked to cut further into the deficit in the sixth after a catcher's interference call and single put two on before a walk loaded the bases. Redshirt sophomore pitcher Josie Wood got out of the jam as she made a great play on a grounder sent back to her to get the final out.

Indiana added a pair on insurance runs in the final inning as freshman Maddie Westmoreland doubled to right center, plating Lacefield and Uden.

Wood earned the win in the circle for IU as she went 4.0 innings in relief, surrendering just one run on five hits.

"I thought our pitchers were great today," said Stanton. "Josie did an incredible job coming in and protecting the lead. It was a collective team effort. I'm proud of this group, I felt like we turned a corner. We had pitching today and we had clutch hitting."

IU closes out play in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Sunday as the Hoosiers face Georgia Tech. First pitch is slated for 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Digital Network.