Softball Drops the First of Three in Raleigh
By: Anthony Vasquez
CitrusTV Softball Beat Reporter
RALEIGH, NC – Opening day for ACC play did not go as planned for Syracuse Softball. The offense was once again nonexistent while a pitching staff that needed to be perfect was far from it.
The Orange opened up conference play with an ugly 8-2 loss to NC State’s Wolfpack Friday afternoon. S.U. bats mustered just four hits against ‘Pack starter Aisha Weixlmann. Meanwhile, the arms were completely overwhelmed by the red and white.
Summer Clark’s first career ACC start was as abysmal as it could get. The star freshman gave up five earned runs and only recorded two outs before Doepking said enough was enough. If it wasn’t for Ariana Adams’ stabilizing relief performance, the ‘Cuse would’ve walked out of Dail Stadium with its tail between its legs.
Adams gave up just three runs in 5.1 innings of work while also striking out five and surrendering one walk. Unfortunately, a five run first inning spells doom for most teams across the country.
New 3B Angie Ramos looks to be a mainstay at the hot corner with her steady at-bats. She ended up driving in one of the two runs with a nice looking single to right. Outside of her work at the plate, there was little to hold your head up about.
Galipeau, Jasso, Breen, and Casares-Maher combined to go 2-12 with a walk.
If the Auburn game didn’t raise alarms already, a blowout loss to NC State surely raises them.
The ‘Cuse will have to head back to the hotel and regroup if its going to contend at all over the weekend. First pitch tomorrow is scheduled for 1pm.
Look for Lindsey Hendrix to draw tomorrow’s start, especially since Ariana Adams threw 5.1 inning of relief today.
