Keys for Syracuse Softball After Two Tournaments
Nathaniel Cunningham | @n_cunning_0
After Syracuse Softball’s (6-3) first two tournaments, there is a lot to take away from how the Orange have started the season.
Powerful Pitching
While SU’s Pitching has been everything but perfect, there have been a lot of bright spots for the Orange. A season ago Syracuse notched a 4.21 ERA. This year that number has dropped by almost a point. No one stands out more than Senior Lindsey Hendrix. In 4 games this season, she has a sub-one ERA giving up just 19 hits in over 24 innings. Hendrix has also tallied 2 complete game shutouts.
While Hendrix has been dialed in early, Last year’s best pitcher Madison Knight has struggled. In 4 appearances she has an above 5 ERA and opponents are hitting over .300 against her. However, SU fans shouldn’t be concerned. Last year, Knight didn’t hit her stride until mid-March. After March 18th, the then-freshman gave SU a 14-5 record in games she pitched in including wins over NC State, North Carolina, and a complete game shutout of Virginia.
The remainder of Syracuse’s staff is still getting used to calling SU home. Jessie DiPasqule has only pitched one inning where she gave up two hits but caused contact on the ground. Julianna Verni has pitched just six innings but has given up three extra-base hits and walked three. Seminole State transfer Britney Lewinski has given up the long ball twice in five appearances and has struggled to keep batters off the bases.
Opening up the Offense
Syracuse has scored at least 3 or more runs in every game that they have played this season. A big reason for that is SU’s 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup Freshman Makenzie Foster and Senior Angel Jasso.
Infielder Foster has reached safely in 11 of her 30 at-bats. In those 11 times reaching safely, she has scored 10 times. The Outfielder Jasso has either scored or hit a run in each of Syracuse’s games. She is hitting 16-28 (.571) while driving in 11 on the year. Taylor Posner has also been important driving in 11 runs on the year.
While the top of the Oranges lineup has produced a lot, the bottom for SU has fluctuated quite a lot. 7 different players have been replaced multiple times throughout the season.
What’s Next for the Orange?
The Orange will round out February at the Best of the Bayou Classic in Monroe, Louisiana. Syracuse faces 5 teams including Louisiana at Monroe twice, Evansville, Northwestern State, and Sam Houston. While Su can’t take this weekend lightly, the Orange open um March with ACC opponent 10th ranked Duke.
