Syracuse Dazzles as it Sweeps Seven Game Stretch
By: Anthony Vasquez | @Ant_Vasquez3
CitrusTV Softball Beat Reporter
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse Softball was absolutely perfect in all of its tests throughout its seven game spring break trip. The road swing had everything from thrilling walkoff wins to convincing performances that saw the Orange flex its muscles.
The trip started with a trifecta of midweek bouts against a few mid-major schools. The first of which was an easy 5-1 win against Maryland Eastern Shore while the final two were beat downs of Coppin State.
Once the work was over in Maryland, the team spent Thursday sightseeing in New York City before a bus trip to chilly Hempstead for four more games against Iona and Hofstra.
Last Friday was a doubleheader that saw the ‘Cuse comeback to beat the Gaels in walkoff fashion in extras while the nightcap against Hofstra’s Pride was a simple 6-0 shutout win.
Sunday’s doubleheader against the two teams were an exact copy of Friday’s twin billings. This time, S.U. took down Iona in nine innings 4-3 and beat the Pride 4-1.
If you were doing the math at home, you’ll see that Syracuse reeled off seven straight wins to brings its record to an unprecedented 17-9.
At this point last season, coach Shannon Doepking was overseeing a team who was no stranger to COVID-19 postponements and cancelations. Despite the chaos, S.U. still churned out a 15-11 record through 26 games in 2021.
The winning streak should give the Orange momentum as they head down south to Atlanta for a three game set against Georgia Tech. Kelly Breen and Angel Jasso are the hitters walking around campus with the most confidence considering they combined to hit over .375 last week.
Kelly Breen collected 10 hits, 11 RBIs, and three homers en route to a .400 hitting week and a spot as the performer of the week on OnTheBench. Meanwhile, Angel Jasso continued her torrid season by adding six hits and four RBIs.
But it wasn’t just them who delivered. Countless players came up with clutch hits throughout including Taylor Posner and Tessa Galipeau. S.U. combined to drive in 41 runs to the tune of stellar .313 batting average in those seven games.
It wasn’t just the hitting who excelled though. The pitchers inside the circle were dealing all week long. Summer Clark gave up just two runs in nine innings while also notching 11 punchouts and a WHIP of just 0.67.
Ariana Adams continued the surge out of the bullpen by tossing 16 innings with an ERA of 1.69 over that span. The Texan also struck out 21 lowly hitters compared to just eight free passes. Even though those two were stellar, Lindsey Hendrix deserved the pitcher of the week.
She tossed a team high 17.1 innings and surrendered just one measly run over that span. Her 0.76 WHIP was the second best this week behind Clark and the fabulous Floridian’s 17/4 K-BB ratio was the best on the staff.
Together, the trio limited opponents to just a .161 batting average and a 2.30 ERA over 43 innings. As a team Syracuse had an amazing +29 run differential too.
All of these stats come as the ‘Cuse are right in the middle of ACC play. Unfortunately, there aren’t any Hofstras of Coppin States in one of the best Softball conferences in the country, but these are the types of games that build the confidence of a rugged and battle tested team.
Its weekend set with the Yellow Jackets will be no cakewalk but consistently proving themselves in the non-conference is giving this team the fight it needs to succeed and surprise in April.
The trip to Atlanta will be the calm before the storm as the long awaited Skytop Opening Day awaits April 1st.
