Syracuse Remains Unbeaten After a Pair of Saturday Shutouts

By Cole Purvis | @Cole_Purvis

After two wins on Friday to open up its 2025 campaign, Syracuse Softball knew it had to keep the foot on the gas. On day two of the UNC Wilmington tournament, the Orange defense stifled their opponents, recording shutouts over Queens University and UNC Wilmington, to move to 4-0 on the season.

Game 1

It was a pitchers duel in SU’s early afternoon game against Queens University, with the contest scoreless going into the bottom of the sixth. Royals’ pitcher Abby Craver had not allowed Syracuse to produce a run, or even threaten to score, all afternoon. However, with some timely offense, the Orange loaded the bases with nobody out, and didn’t let the opportunity go to waste. 

Angie Ramos flew one to right field, which the outfielder dropped, allowing Madelyn Lopez and Taylor Posner to cross home. Shortly after, with runners on first and third, junior Peyton Schemmer grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring freshman Lauren Fox. This was the third RBI of the season for Schemmer.

While the ‘Cuse took advantage of their opportunities, the same could not be said for Queens. In its half of the sixth inning, the Royals had runners on second and third, but SU forced a flyout to end the inning. 

Sydney Jackson, a freshman making her collegiate debut, more than held down the fort. She went five innings, only allowed two hits, struck out eight, and made up for the fact that Syracuse was very quiet at the plate until late in the contest. Madison Knight, who tossed a complete game yesterday vs. UNC Wilmington, came in for the final two frames, and did her part to keep the Royals at a goose egg. After coming close to a shutout in both games yesterday, Syracuse finally asserted themselves defensively, not allowing a run. 

It was not an offensive explosion by any means, with SU only recording six hits on the afternoon. However, coach Shannon Doepking’s team proved that sometimes, just one good inning makes all the difference.

Game 2

Unlike yesterday, Syracuse had some time to catch their breath between games. The nightcap opponent was UNC Wilmington, the tournament’s host school, who SU defeated 5-1 yesterday.

Yesterday’s game between the two saw UNCW score the first run, but today, the ‘Cuse drew first blood. In the top of the third with the bases loaded, Madison Knight, who hits as well as pitches, forced a walk. Jadyn Burney trotted to home plate to make it 1-0.

They might as well be called “Sixth Inning Syracuse,” because the Orange scored three runs in their half of the sixth, just as they did in the earlier game. Tessa Galipeau brought Lauren Fox home with an RBI single, her first of the season. SU kept it rolling when Gabby Lantier made contact, hitting a single that sent in Peyton Schemmer. To top it off, Madelyn Lopez singled, scoring Galipeau. The ‘Cuse earned some breathing room, leading 4-0 with just three outs left to record.

Pitcher Julianna Verni, who tossed five innings yesterday against Le Moyne, got the nod in this one, and she was brilliant. The junior went the distance, securing SU’s second straight shutout. Verni allowed just two hits and only walked one. This weekend’s performance certainly went a long way in cementing her as a possible number two in Syracuse’s rotation, behind ace Madison Knight.

The Orange have allowed just two runs through four games. The pair of wins today built on the strong performance SU had on day one. Syracuse can make it 5-0 on the year when it faces Le Moyne tomorrow at 10 a.m., to wrap up the UNCW tournament. For live updates, follow @Cole_Purvis and @CitrusTVSports on X.