Orange Split Doubleheader With Charlotte

By Spencer Pierce

CitrusTV’s Softball Beat Reporter

Tell me if you’ve heard this before; the Syracuse Orange softball team failed to get insurance runs, causing them the game. Sound familiar?

The Orange took on the Charlotte 49ers on Friday in a doubleheader in their first action since the Garnet/Gold classic two weeks ago.

In the first game, the Orange got on the board early, as Gabby Teran hit her first home run of the season. Teran continues to be consistent at the top of Doepkings lineup, hitting .276 in nine games.

The Orange were able to capitalize off an error in that same inning, making it 2-0. With no insurance runs yet again, though, the Orange were held scoreless the rest of the game. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Charlotte’s Anna Devereaux hit a two run double, putting the 49ers up 3-2. That would be the final score of the game, as the Orange would drop the opener of the doubleheader.

Alexa Romero, who has been rather consistent, threw six innings, striking out seven and allowing three earned runs.

In the second game, the Orange yet again got off to a hot start, taking a 3-0 lead thanks to a Jude Padilla home run in the top of the first inning, The Orange scored early, but that seems to be the case often.

This game, however, the Orange were able to add onto their lead and add, as Kaia Oliver continues to be one of the best players on the team. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Charlotte’s Kourtney Gremillion tied the game up with a three run home run, but the Orange were able to respond with a single in the top of the 6th off of a fielders choice.

A Maxine Barnes sacrifice fly and a Rebecca Clyde RBI single put the Orange up 6-3. Charlotte hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 7th inning, but that’s all the 49ers would be able to get, as the game ended in a 6-4 Syracuse win.

Kaia Oliver threw a complete game, striking out three and allowing four runs. Though Oliver’s performance was not as impressive as usual, she can thank her team for the run support.

The Orange have two games tomorrow, a rubber match against Charlotte at 10 a.m. and a showdown with Campbell University at 1 p.m.

swpierce@syr.edu | @swlp91