Syracuse Softball blasts its way back into the win column
Nathaniel Cunningham | @n_cunning_0
When Syracuse hits the long ball, good things tend to happen. In 6 of the Oranges 8 victories, they’ve hit a home run. In both of SU’s games today, the same thing happened leading to an 11-1 mercy rule over Le Moyne and a 9-0 mercy rule over Norfolk State.
Game One vs Le Moyne
It didn’t take long for this game to get all sorts of crazy. In the bottom of the first, the Orange tallied three singles, two walks, two stolen bases, and two wild pitches that were two runs scored. SU had almost gone through the whole lineup in just its very first time at the plate.
The Dolphins weren’t sitting ducks though. Le Moyne third Baseman Franki Larobardiere homered it to left center field cutting Syracuse’s lead in half.
More sloppy softball was played as SU notched a bunt single, stole another base, and was hit by a pitch. However, Rebecca Clyde decided to really crack the game open. The grad student launched a three-run homer to center field giving the Orange a five-run advantage in the second.
Later in the frame, Tessa Galipeau walked leading to Lailia Morales-Alves doubling to bring her in.
With SU still four runs shy of a mercy rule, many people would call upon the Cardiac ‘Cuse. However, Syracuse head coach Shannon Dopeking said we have Cardiac Clyde. After Jasso singled, the third baseman hit a 2 run homer into the exact same place as she did just an inning prior.
Two batters later, Laila Morales-Alves said she wanted to join the party. She hit a 2 run shot herself to straight away center and the Orange had a commanding 11-1 lead through three that would last until the end.
While Syracuse’s offense was great, holding a team to just one run is equally impressive. A big piece of that is due to senior ace Lindsey Hendrix. The pitcher gave up just three hits and struck out five in her four innings of work.
Game Two vs Norfolk State
How do you follow up a 11-1 win just 30 minutes later? You Mercy rule your next opponent and you keep them scoreless.
Unlike in game one, it was a calm and normal first inning. Both teams had a runner on but couldn’t do anything about it.
In the second though is when SU turned on the jets. Five hits including three doubles and a sacrifice bunt plated five different runners. Olivia Pess, Angie Ramos, Angel Jasso, and Taylor Posner all brought in a run. Just like in the first game the Orange had batted around and the offense was now cruising.
The Orange loaded the bases in the third but came up short after a 5-4-3 double play was turned. In the fourth, SU wouldn’t squabble that opportunity.
Angel Jasso hit a triple putting her at third most in the ACC. Then Taylor Posner extended her team high in home runs with a long ball to left center. The junior sixth of the year pushed Syracuse’s lead to 7.
The Spartans would try to change pitchers in the fifth preventing a mercy rule but Posner didn’t care. The utility tallied a two RBI single for her fifth of the game and that’s all SU would need for its second win.
The pitching was also incredible in this game as well. Junior Britney Lewinksi started her 6th game and finished it for her first complete game with the Orange. The pitcher gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out three. Lewinski faced the minimum number of batters as well because the one hit was immediately negated by a double play.
The Orange offense has propelled back from a tough series against Duke and can continue that against Quinnipiac and Norfolk state at 1:30 and 3:30 on Tuesday.
