Madison Knight Stellar as Syracuse Collects a Ranked ACC Win
By Cole Purvis | @Cole_Purvis
DURHAM, N.C. – As it has been several times already this season, it was the Madison Knight show Saturday afternoon. Syracuse softball (17-8, 1-5 ACC) took down No. 16 Duke (19-9, 4-2 ACC) by a score of 3-2 for both its first conference win of the season, and the first ranked win of the year. Knight threw a complete game on the mound, after going nine frames in an extra-inning affair yesterday that ended in a 3-1 Duke victory.
Syracuse ended its early-inning woes, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. Center fielder Madelyn Lopez nailed a two-run homer off of Duke pitcher Cassidy Curd, who threw five innings in the Blue Devils’ 6-0 shutout of the Orange in game two of the series yesterday.
The ‘Cuse continued to threaten, having runners on second and third in the next inning. However, third baseman Kelly Breen grounded out, stranding both. The score remained 3-2.
In the bottom of the third, Duke freshman Brooklinn Thomas singled, but was thrown out trying to steal second by ‘Cuse catcher Laila Morales-Alves. The play by the senior was historic – it was the 34th runner caught stealing in her career, the most in school history. The throw helped keep the contest at 2-0, Syracuse.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, the No. 17 team in the nation was dealing with some uncharacteristic struggles at the dish. The Blue Devils only had three base runners on the game to that point. However, they would not go away quietly. Two RBI singles, one from second baseman Aminah Vega, and another from shortstop Ana Gold, made it 2-2. After a great start, Syracuse was back to the drawing board, needing to figure out a way to win a close game.
They would not be denied a conference win this time. Madison Knight, who had been great in the circle, is also a fixture in SU’s batting order. She helped her cause in a major way in the top of the last inning, hitting a moonshot to deep left field to give SU a 3-2 advantage. The Orange had an opportunity for more, but stranded a runner at third, and would have to settle for one run.
With the bottom of Duke’s order up to bat, the Blue Devils could not manufacture a tying run. Second baseman Angie Ramos had the highlight of the inning, and perhaps the game, when she dove to her left to nab a hard hit ground ball, got up, threw it to first, and just beat the runner. This play prevented Duke from getting its leadoff hitter on base.
The rest of the inning was a breeze, as Knight retired the side in order, and Syracuse won 3-2. It was a heroic performance from the junior, who held a ranked team at bay, and used her power to hit the game-winning dinger.
After previously being 0-5 in ACC play and 0-7 against ranked opponents, the Orange were in desperate need of a signature win, and they got that today. More good news for coach Shannon Doepking’s squad: they are back at home for the first time this season on Wednesday for a doubleheader against Niagara.
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