Softball Suffers a Crushing Loss in Series Finale
RALEIGH, NC – Syracuse Softball is traveling back to the salt city disappointed after dropping the finale of a three game series against NC State 5-4.
Last night’s clutch and electrifying offense was on display for the second consecutive day, a welcome sign for anyone aware of alarming past offensive troubles.
Angel Jasso started the scoring in the first with a sacrifice fly while NC State knotted things back up in the first and took the lead in the third.
Down 4-1 in the fifth, the bats caught fire again. Carli Campbell’s infield single pulled her the Orange within two. A Tessa Galipeau single down the right field line plated a couple to knot things up at four.
Now tied, pitcher Ariana Adams trotted out for yet another inning of relief behind starter Kaia Oliver. Unfortunately, the matchups never favored Adams throughout this series. NC State is one of the best in the nation at hitting homers while the fifth year senior gives up more than any other S.U. pitcher.
The Texas transfer was yet to allow a round tripper, but she can only keep that going for so long.
As soon as power hitting 3B Logan Morris made contact with her 1-0 pitch, everyone in the ballpark knew it wasn’t coming back. All the work Syracuse did to just tie the game was all for naught.
That homer was the last of any type of scoring for the rest of the game. Paris Woods popped out in the sixth with runners on the corners while Campbell, Galipeau, and Jasso went down without a whimper in the seventh.
Despite the tough loss, there shouldn’t be any reason why the ‘Cuse should leave Raleigh feeling dejected. It showed it can at least be a pesky team to face as ACC play continues. They can grind out at-bats, take walks, and do just enough inside the circle to win ballgames.
It’s really going to be down to consistency throughout the season. Without it, Syracuse reverts back to being a walkover series for conference opponents yet again. With it, the Orange transform into a force that catches the attention of onlookers everywhere.
