Athletes in Motion: Softball Pitcher Kasey Ricard
How this Terrier captain became BU’s ace
Athletes in Motion: Softball Pitcher Kasey Ricard
Athletes in Motion: Softball Pitcher Kasey Ricard
When Kasey Ricard started playing softball at about nine years old, she hated pitching. She wasn’t great yet, and she didn’t like being placed in the high-pressure role most pitchers face.
However, as she grew and improved, Ricard (Sargent’26) says, she learned to appreciate those moments with the game on the line and the ball in her hand, and began to rise to the occasion. Now, as the ace pitcher for the powerhouse Boston University softball team, she thrives when stakes are highest.
“I think that made it almost addictive to want to keep succeeding in those situations and being the person to save my team,” she says. “I just love the rush that pitching gives me now.”
The BU softball team recently wrapped up the regular season with a 5-0 win against Lafayette College. Now the Terriers are the No. 2 seed, and they are aiming to defend their Patriot League championship. Last year, they won the conference—their fifth PL title in six seasons—and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Ricard has had most of her pitches for a while. She says she’s mostly a rise-ball pitcher, but uses her curveball and screwball pitch a lot. “Each day is different,” she says. “So whatever pitch is working for that day is what we’ll utilize the most.”
Pitching has helped her gain confidence in herself no matter what, Ricard says, and she loves being able to set the tone for the entire team.
“That’s how I add my contribution,” she says. “It’s being that fire and that spark for them.”
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