Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Rutgers
Softball Sweeps Rutgers In Doubleheader
April 07, 2002 | Softball
April 7, 2002
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Boston College's Tekae Malandris pitched a no-hitter in the first game and nine innings of two-hit ball in the nightcap to lead the Eagles to a doubleheader sweep of Rutgers, 2-0 and 2-1, today at the Rutgers Softball Complex. With the losses, RU drops to 9-17 (4-4 BIG EAST), while the Eagles improve to 14-17 (4-2 BIG EAST) on the season.
Boston College wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game one, scoring one run in the top of the first inning. With a runner on second base and two outs, Jennifer Asbury singled up the middle, giving BC an early 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third inning, Asbury registered her second RBI of the game on a two-out double to centerfield. The two-run lead was more than enough for the Eagles, as Malandris stymied the Scarlet Knight offense, striking out 10 en route to her first career no-hitter and fourth consecutive complete-game shutout. RU's Andria Koehler (Sellersville, PA) pitched well in the losing effort, surrendering just five hits and two runs in seven innings of work.
In the second game, BC again struck first, scoring one run in the top of the fifth inning. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Rutgers tied the game with two outs. Sophomore Brittney Neer (Tallahassee, FL) led off the frame with a walk, the proceeded to steal second, setting the stage for sophomore Nichole Cruz (Bremerton, WA). Cruz dropped down a sacrifice bunt, allowing Neer to advance to third base. With one out, junior Meaghan Asselta (Ramsey, NJ) hit 1-2 pitch through the right side of the infield, tying the score and sending the game into extra innings.
The score remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the top of the ninth inning, when BC scored the game-winning run on an error. With Erin Mackey on third base and two outs, RU pitcher Leah Black (Rocky River, OH) induced what appeared would be an inning-ending ground ball back to the pitching circle. However, Black was unable to field the ball cleanly, allowing Mackey to score on the play.
Rutgers nearly tied the game again in the bottom of the ninth inning, putting runners on second and third with only one out, but were unable to push any runners across the plate.
Malandris (9-7) earned her second win of the day, giving up just two hits and one run over nine innings. Despite seeing her 40-inning scoreless streak snapped by RU in the bottom of the seventh inning, Malandris pitched a no-hitter through the first 6.2 innings. Black (4-8) pitched well for the Scarlet Knights, scattering six hits and striking out six in nine innings of work.
Offensively, Rutgers was lead by Neer and Asselta, who each went 1-for-4 in the game. Neer scored a run and stole a base, while Asselta recorded her 11th RBI of the season.
