Boston College Softball Drops Doubleheader to Close Out Fonseca Memorial Tournament
TAMPA, Fla. - It was a tough Saturday night for Boston College Softball (4-6), as the Eagles dropped both games to wrap up the Fonseca Memorial Tournament at USF Softball Stadium. Despite flashes of strong play and a promising lead in Game 1, BC couldn’t hold off late surges from their opponents, falling to South Florida and Indiana State in back-to-back contests.
Game 1: USF 5, Boston College 4 - A Late-Inning Heartbreaker
This one had all the makings of a gritty road win for BC - until the final frame.
After South Florida struck first in the second inning, the Eagles answered right back in the third. Carly Bunnell sparked the offense with a double down the left field line, setting the stage for Kae DePerio, who followed with an infield single. Bunnell showed heads-up baserunning, sneaking home as DePerio rounded first, tying the game at one apiece.
The fourth inning saw BC’s defense step up in a big way. First, they handled a popped-up bunt cleanly. Then catcher Abby Ptak cut down a runner trying to steal second, and pitcher Kelly Colleran capped the inning with a strikeout - a momentum-building defensive stand that kept the game in check.
That momentum carried into the fifth, where the Eagles’ bats came alive. Tavye Borders led off with a single, and DePerio reached on a Bulls error.
Emma Knight followed with a single to left, loading the bases. Ptak showed patience at the plate, drawing a walk to force in a run.
Then Meghan Schouten delivered the big swing - a two-run single that gave BC a 4-1 lead.
But the Eagles couldn’t close the door.
In the bottom of the seventh, USF mounted a furious rally, plating four runs to walk it off and steal the win, 5-4. A tough pill to swallow for a BC squad that had played well for most of the game.
Game 2: Indiana State 4, Boston College 1 - Early Deficit Too Much to Overcome
Game 2 saw the Eagles get on the board early, but they couldn’t keep pace with Indiana State’s timely hitting.
BC opened the scoring in the first inning with another productive sequence from the middle of the order. Emma Knight ripped a double, and Ptak came through again, driving her in with a single to left-center.
But the Sycamores responded quickly - and decisively - in the third inning, putting up a three-run frame that gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. From there, BC’s offense had its chances, tallying five hits over the final innings, but they couldn’t string together the kind of rally needed to claw back into it. Indiana State held firm and took the 4-1 win.
Looking Ahead: Another Shot at USF, Plus New Opponents at the USF Invitational
With the Fonseca Memorial Tournament in the rearview, Boston College will stay in Tampa for the upcoming USF Invitational. The Eagles will look to regroup and gain some traction as they face a new slate of opponents - Marist, St. Joseph’s, Colgate, Indiana, and a rematch with host USF.
The tournament kicks off on Feb. 20, with BC set to face Marist at 2 p.m.
There’s no doubt the Eagles showed flashes of what they’re capable of this weekend - from clutch hitting to solid defensive stretches. But closing out games and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be key as they head into the next phase of their early-season schedule.