Softball Swept in Ugly Game Three Showing
By Anthony Vasquez I Ant_Vasquez3
LOUISVILLE, KY – Syracuse Softball turned in two lifeless performances over the weekend against Louisville and Sunday was no exception. The Orange lost in the finale of a three game set with the redbirds 3-2 marking the fourth time it’s been swept in ACC play.
While the first two games saw the Cardinals blow things open by putting up a crooked number in the later innings, game three saw the ‘Cuse compete throughout.
Kendall Smith and Dylann Cravens each laced RBI singles off of opener Ariana Adams in the first to make it 2-0. After a first inning full of baserunners, the swinging orange woke up with an Angel Jasso 2-run single.
Instead of Ariana Adams sprinting out for the second, Kaia Oliver replaced her in the circle representing the final arm Dopeking had to throw outside of Summer Clark. The Junior starter proceeded to mow down U of L hitters left and right by retiring the first seven she faced.
Back to back fourth inning singles by Cravens and Miller put Oliver in her first jam of the game with one out. A fielder’s choice got her an out away from getting out of it unscathed.
Unfortunately, a dirted breaking ball was sent back to the screen to score a sprinting Cravens to make it 3-2 Louisville. To add insult to injury, Oliver forced a routine fly out two pitches later.
S.U. was heading to the fifth in familiar territory, needing only a run on struggling starter Taylor Roby. Syracuse managed to get a runner on in the fifth but were unable to score off of it. A 1-2-3 sixth inning had the lineup staring down the barrel of yet another lackluster offensive performance.
Paris Woods led off the inning with a strikeout and Jasso followed with a routine popup. Tessa Galipeau worked the walk and kept the line moving for Neli Casares-Maher. The veteran shot a 1-1 pitch right to the SS Alexander who made the play to end the game and secure the sweep.
The loss brings the Orange to 20-18 on the year and 3-13 in ACC play. Even though there were a lot of positives from the last two battles, issues that have plagued the Orange throughout conference play are continuing to rear their ugly heads.
It’ll be bounce back time Wednesday when the team will take a short bus ride and play Colgate in a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:30.
