Syracuse Drops Both Games on ACC Opening Day Against Clemson

By: Adam Gotkin | @adam_gotkin 

Clemson, SC – After starting its season 6-6 in nonconference play, Syracuse softball started ACC action today in South Carolina. The ‘Cuse didn’t have an easy start to its conference action. The first opponent is Clemson, who ESPN has as the 4th-ranked team in the nation. The Orange were able to keep things close against the Tigers in game one of the doubleheader. 

In a pitchers duel, S-U fell the Clemson 4-1. What hurt the Orange was big hits. Clemson got out to an early lead in the 3rd inning with back to back solo home runs. Syracuse kept things close and got its first run of the game in the 6th from a Kelly Breen RBI single that drove home Angel Jasso. But right after that, Clemson responded with two more insurance runs. Ariella Oda ripped a ball into left-center that brought home two runs and ended up being a triple. Syracuse couldn’t bounce back and went down 1-2-3 in the 7th inning to end the game. 

The day wasn’t done then for Syracuse though. After yesterday’s game was rained out, today was turned into a doubleheader. In game two, Jackie Pengel got the start for Syracuse. The Freshmen struggled in the beginning, giving up three runs in just the first inning. All three of those runs came with two outs. Syracuse struggled offensively early on and in the third inning, Clemson offense turned on. The Tigers added two more runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead. Then, in the next inning, Clemson scored three more to make it 8-0. Syracuse needed a run to continue the game in the fifth inning but the ‘Cuse came up short. The marks the third time this year Syracuse has been shut out. 

The Orange are back in action tomorrow at noon in the series finale vs Clemson.