Syracuse falls to Quinnipiac, Dominates Delaware on Friday
By Cole Purvis | @Cole_Purvis
NEWARK, DE – Coming into Friday’s doubleheader at the Blue Hen Invitational, Syracuse softball’s only losses this year were to then No. 9 Georgia. The Orange (14-3) had taken care of business in every other game. Eventually, coach Shannon Doepking’s squad did get tripped up, as Quinnipiac (4-6) took down Syracuse 4-1 in the earlier game of the day.
In game two, Syracuse took on host school Delaware (5-7), a rematch of yesterday’s dramatic 2-1 SU win. This time, it was no sweat for the Orange, who won 8-1.
Game 1
Early on, it appeared as if Syracuse may cruise when leadoff hitter Jadyn Burney got on base, followed by outfielder Madelyn Lopez reaching. This is where the production began for catcher Laila Morales-Alves, who finishes the day with five hits between both games. Morales-Alves would drive in Burney on a single down the left field line, making it 1-0 ‘Cuse.
Junior Rose Cano got the start for the ‘Cuse, having only pitched 9 innings so far this season, this being her second start. She would surrender a run in the third, as Quinnipiac’s Sofia Vega knocked a double to center field, scoring Noelle Reid to make it 1-1.
In the fourth, SU ace Madison Knight came on in relief of Cano, and found herself in the middle of a nail-biting situation once again. After striking out a hitter with the bases loaded, two outs, and her team up a run in the final inning yesterday against Delaware, she once again was on the mound with the bases juiced and two outs in the fourth inning today. This time, she was not as fortunate. A wild pitch sent QU’s Ava Tabangcura to the plate, making it 2-1. Freshman Jaclyn Gonzalez then hit a ground rule double to drive in two runs.
Down 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh, a Kelly Breen double was all Syracuse could come up with, as the Orange fell to the Bobcats 4-1.
Game 2
After a bit of a break between games, Syracuse jumped on Delaware early, scoring three runs in the top of the first. The top of the order worked its magic, as Angie Ramos scored Jadyn Burney. Then, Laila Morales-Alves continued her stellar day, recording 2 RBI. Morales-Alves would round second and be thrown out at third, but the damage had already been done.
The Blue Hens got one back in the bottom of the first when catcher Sydney Shaffer singled to right, allowing infielder Chloe Blantz to score. Shaffer would advance to second on an error.
From there on out, it was all ‘Cuse. Both Ramos and Morales-Alves would continue to rake. Ramos, the senior, tallied a game-high 3-RBI in this one, and Morales-Alves hit a 2-RBI triple to right field in the top of the fifth.
Senior Kelly Breen made it 8-1 in the sixth, and the score would remain at that for the rest of the game. Syracuse was more than successful in avenging its earlier loss to Quinnipiac, as SU picked up the sweep of Delaware.
Tomorrow marks the final game before the start of non-conference play for Syracuse. The ‘Cuse faces Morgan State at 10 a.m., followed by another showdown with Quinnipiac at 12:30. After that, they’ll head to Stanford to open up ACC competition.
For live updates of tomorrow’s games, and all throughout the season, follow @Cole_Purvis and @CitrusTVSports on X.
