Orange Double Down for a Two Win Day

By Spencer Pierce

CitrusTV’s Softball Beat Reporter

There hasn’t been a normal day for the Syracuse Orange softball team yet. 

The Orange were slated to play College of Charleston at 10 a.m. and University of Illinois-Chicago at 12:15 p.m. Due to inclement weather for the third time this year, the games were pushed back. 

The first game was against the Flames of UIC. 

The Orange started off the game on fire, as Toni Martin and Lailoni Mayfield (newly dubbed M&M) went back to back, hitting solo home runs. 

If you’ve followed the last few games up until this point, you’ll know that insurance runs have been key. 

Syracuse was able to execute in this game, as they added another run in the top of the second inning thanks to a RBI double from Calista Almer. 

That wasn’t enough, though, as the Flames stormed back, hitting a home run and scoring off of a wild pitch. An Angel Jasso RBI groundout put the Orange up 4-2, but the Flames would not go down without a fight. They scored two runs in the 6th inning and ultimately caused the game to go to extras.

The Orange, with their backs against the wall in the top of the 8th inning, struck first. Geana Torres hit a two-run home run to put the Orange up 6-4, which would ultimately be the final score. 

Alexa Romero, who came in to pitch in extra innings, got the win, putting her at 2-1 on the season. Jolie Gustave started the game and Lindsey Hendrix followed her. The two combined for four runs, nine strikeouts and no walks.

So the Orange went into the game against College of Charleston with confidence. 

Kaia Oliver started the game, allowing six hits and striking out six. She has been stellar for the Orange and has proved to be a key piece to this team.

As for the offensive side, the Orange scored in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings, only to give up runs to the Cougars in the top of the 5th and 6th. 

It was looking like the Orange were heading into extra innings for the second time of the day, but Neli Casares-Maher had other plans. She blasted one over the wall in left center field to put the Orange up 4-2, which would be the final score. 

In what has been a crazy start to the season, the Orange are sitting above .500 at 3-2. They head to the Villanova invitational to take on Hofstra and Villanova in a double header on March 6th. 

swpierce@syr.edu | @swlp91