A Busy Week for Syracuse Softball
By: Adam Gotkin | @adam_gotkin
Syracuse Softball had a successful weekend, winning all three games in a series against Lafayette. The Orange tallied 33 runs across the three games, marking the most runs scored in a series this season. With a batting average of .438 and a slugging percentage of .657, the ‘Cuse batters put up impressive numbers against the Leopards.
In the series finale on Sunday afternoon, Syracuse dominated, winning 11-1. Freshman pitcher Madison Knight was outstanding, throwing her fifth complete game of the season, striking out 10 batters while allowing only one run on five hits. Over the two starts against Lafayette, Knight posted a 1.62 earned run average and 16 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. The Orange got on the board first in the fourth inning when infielder Kelly Breen and catcher Laila Alves hit consecutive singles to put runners on the corners. Designated player Jackie Pengel then pushed a ball down the third base line, scoring the first run of the game. The hit marked the first of Pengel’s career and her first RBI.
Syracuse’s offense kept clicking in the fifth inning, producing four runs. Outfielder Angie Ramos led off with a single, followed by a sacrifice bunt from infielder Ryan Starr to move Ramos into scoring position. Infielder Tessa Galipeau then doubled to score Ramos. Breen continued the momentum by doubling to score Galipeau. Pinch hitter Peyton Schemmer kept the hit streak going, bringing in the fourth run of the game. Knight then brought home the final run of the inning with a double, making the score 5-0.
Lafayette responded in the fifth inning with its first run, but Syracuse added to its lead in the seventh inning, scoring a series-high six runs. With two runners on base, Knight hit an extra-base hit to center field, scoring two runs. A double from Alves logged the eighth Orange run of the game. Pengel found a gap in shallow right field, sending Alves home. Outfielder Taylor Posner then hit a two-run home run to end the scoring run, making the final score 11-1.
In the first game of the doubleheader on Wednesday against Binghamton, Syracuse won 4-2, with Alves leading the Orange to victory with two runs batted in. In the second game, however, Binghamton won 12-3.
Overall, Syracuse Softball had an impressive weekend, with all three games against Lafayette resulting in victories. The Orange’s offense was on fire, producing a total of 33 runs over the three games. Madison Knight’s performance on the mound in the series finale was particularly noteworthy, throwing her fifth complete game of the season and striking out a career-high 10 batters. The Orange will look to carry this momentum forward as they conclude their road schedule with a doubleheader against Cornell on Wednesday, April 26th.
ajgotkin@syr.edu | @adam_gotkin
