Boston College's softball squad is gearing up for a return to ACC action this weekend, facing off against the University of Pittsburgh in a three-game series at Vartabedian Field. The series kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. and will be available to watch on ACCNX.
Recent Performances
The Eagles recently took on the No. 23 South Carolina Gamecocks, where Tavye Borders shone brightly, hitting .429 during the series.
Nicole Riddell added some fireworks with her second home run of the season in the finale. On the mound, Bailey Kendziorski was a standout, pitching a complete game and keeping the Gamecocks scoreless through six innings, allowing just six hits.
Freshman Phenomenon
Emma Knight is making quite a splash in her freshman year. Leading the team with 24 RBIs and notching 25 hits, Knight is already carving her name into the Eagles' history books.
She became only the sixth player in team history to hit two home runs in a single game, tying a record with seven RBIs in one outing-a feat not seen since 2017. Knight has already launched six homers this season.
Team Leaders
Knight's 24 RBIs are complemented by Abby Ptak's impressive stats. Ptak is leading the Eagles with a .409 batting average, a .591 slugging percentage, and 36 hits, ranking her among the ACC's best.
She's also hit eight doubles, putting her near the top of the conference leaderboard. In the pitching department, Emily Van Cleef boasts the lowest ERA at 2.97 over 37.2 innings, securing five wins.
Kelly Colleran is the strikeout leader with 40.
Scouting the Panthers
Boston College holds a 24-15 advantage in their all-time series against Pittsburgh, having won last season's home series 2-1. Kyra Pittman, recently named ACC Pitcher of the Week, has been pivotal for the Panthers, leading them to a series win over NC State with victories in both her appearances.
Pittman and Bekah Duck both maintain ERAs under 3. Offensively, Tieley Vaughn is a threat on the bases, ranking second in the ACC with 14 stolen bases.
Alena Ball and Ahmari Braden aren't far behind with 13 each. KK Esparza is leading Pitt in batting average (.379), slugging percentage (.690), and home runs (5), while Vaughn tops the team with 29 hits.
With both teams showcasing strong individual performances, this series promises to be an exciting matchup as Boston College looks to climb the ACC standings.