Pitching Erupts and Offense Goes Quiet in Texas for Syracuse Softball
By Anthony Vazquez | @Ant_Vasquez3
STEPHENVILLE, Tx – The first day of the Tarleton Softball Invitational had a lot of new
things happen for SU. Its quick strike electric offense that carried the load in Monroe was
completely nonexistent Friday. Syracuse’s underwhelming hitting performance also gave it a
taste of defeat for the first time this year.
SU ended up splitting the twin billing by beating Texas A&M CC in the early game 3-1 and
dropping a heartbreaker against Tarleton St. 2-1.
Despite the lack of productivity in the runs department, the Orange were still able to muster nine
hits in 23 at-bats against CC. However, eight of those nine hits were singles, a stark difference
from the slugging showcased last weekend.
Tessa Galipeau’s RBI double represented the only extra base hit a white jersey was able to muster.
Rebecca Clyde provided a spark from the bottom of the order by lacing an RBI single to kick off
the scoring in the second inning. A Taylor Posner sacrifice fly in the third chased Corpus
Christi’s starter Megan Depew out of the game.
Islanders’ reliever Grace Gilbert proceeded to absolutely shutdown hitters the rest of the way as she went on to throw three innings of one hit ball.
The offensive power outage ended up being a moot point considering pitcher Summer Clark was
also unhittable. Only a freshman, Clark is starting to burst onto the scene as a top end starter after
she embarrassed hitters throughout her one-run complete game.
Her final line saw her punch out nine while only giving up five scattered hits and a measly walk.
Seven innings of one-run ball lowered her ERA to just 1.45 and kept her record perfect at 4-0.
A breakout start should come as no surprise for anyone keeping up with Western New York Prep
Softball. Clark struck out 372 women and notched a 0.87 career ERA at Williamsville East High School near Buffalo.
The party stopped there as the cold bats got even icier in the nightcap against Tarleton St.
Outside of Carli Campbell’s two hits, the Orange were hitless, only gathering three walks.
Despite the poor day at the office for the lineup, a different starting pitcher dazzled again.
Lindsey Hendrix gave up just one run, six scattered hits, and struck out eight in 6.0 innings of work.
After a leadoff K in the seventh, she was just two outs away from a complete game shutout.
Unfortunately, the fourth pitch to Tarleton’s Brittany Coe was a mistake slammed out of the park for the tying home run.
Right as Coe stepped on home, Shannon Doepking came trotting out of the dugout to make a pitching change.
Out went Hendrix and in came Ariana Adams looking to rebound after an underwhelming final two days in Monroe.
Up to the plate came pinch hitter Miranda Pruitt. Adams went into the windup, delivered her first
pitch, and promptly watched the ball sail into the night and over the right field fence for a walkoff blast.
A crushing defeat like this one tarnishes a perfect record, but with the way the bats showed up
today, splitting the pair of games is a positive.
SU will have to refocus because another date with Texas A&M Corpus Christi Saturday morning
awaits. After that, Prairie View A&M trots in at 3:30.
Even though the pitching was stellar, the offense needs to pick it up fast or the trip to Texas will quickly turn sour.
Playing into the hands of Syracuse is the fact that the lineup was able to limit the strikeouts
meaning a portion of the quiet bats can be chalked up to some bad luck.
Look for the ‘Cuse to get back on track tomorrow, especially if the pitching continues its stellar streak.
