CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Facing an early three-run deficit, the Boston University rallied to claim a 7-5 thrilling win over Penn State on Sunday morning to conclude Charlotte's Queen City Classic.

With their third straight victory against a Power Five school, the Terriers improve to 11-3 on the season. Senior Allison Boaz (5-2) collected her second win over the Nittany Lions (7-3) by allowing just two runs in 5.1 innings of relief, as both junior Kayla Roncin and freshman Brooke Deppiesse recorded two-RBI extra-base hits to key the rally.

Roncin finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, highlighted by the go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Deppiesse also had two hits, including a two-RBI double, and a run scored, while senior Caitlin Coker batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Senior Audrey Sellers reached home plate twice following a single and error. 

PSU didn't have a single pitcher last more than 2.2 innings, as three of the four who took to the circle allowed multiple runs. Overall, the Nittany Lions finished with an 11-8 advantage in hits, including 3-1 lead in homers, but BU had three stolen bases and turned a critical 6-4-3 double play for the second consecutive game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Junior Lauren Keleher led off with a four-pitch walk and advanced to second on Coker's one-out single before PSU ended the threat on a pair of fly outs.
• The Nittany Lions quickly grabbed the lead on a double and one-out homer before adding a solo shot against freshman Kasey Ricard for the 3-0 advantage.
• Senior Lizzy Avery entered the circle in relief to start the second, recording two quick outs before allowing two straight walks.
• Coming off her six-inning shutout performance against PSU on Saturday, Boaz allowed an infield single to load the bases but kep the deficit at three runs by earning a fly out to right.
• Sellers helped lead the rally in the third by singling to left, taking second on a wild pitch and scoring on Roncin's RBI single to left.
• After Coker got hit by a pitch, Deppiesse ripped a two-RBI double to left to plate two runs to tie the game, 3-3.
• The Nittany Lions retook the lead on a first-pitch swing in the bottom half and was in position to add more in the fourth with a single and walk, but BU turned the double play.
• Coker started the fifth with a single and stole second before eventually scoring on a wild pitch.
• Deppiesse reached base on a fielder's choice and made her way to third on a stolen base and the same wild pitch.
• Junior Kate Pryor put the ball in to play with one out to plate Deppiesse for BU's first lead, 5-4.
• With one out in the bottom of the fifth, PSU tied the game on a combined four pitches with back-to-back singles and RBI double.
• Boaz loaded the bases on a walk but earned a ground out to short to keep the game tied.
• After Sellers took first on an error, Roncin launched a 1-0 pitch over the wall to grab a 7-5 lead.
• Boaz sealed the win, allowing just one walk over the final seven PSU at-bats.

GAME NOTES

• With two more walks today, Keleher now owns 65, just five shy of cracking the top 10 in the program record book.
• Roncin has three homers already through 14 games after posting four in 57 contests last season.
• With 32 wins, Boaz is five away from reaching the top 10.
• BU's seven runs were the most scored against a Power Five school since the Terriers beat ACC member Duke, 7-4, in eight innings in 2018. The Terriers last had at least seven in a seven-inning game since beating Michigan St., 11-4, in 2017.

UP NEXT

• BU will next head out west to California for a combined 12 games on March 3-11.
• The Terriers will first battle Montana and Long Beach State on Friday (March 3) as part of the San Diego Classic with San Diego State serving as host for the doubleheader.