Syracuse Softball Ends Losing Streak with Doubleheader Sweep Against Canisius

By: Adam Gotkin | @adam_gotkin

Syracuse softball broke out of a five-game losing streak by sweeping Canisius in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Orange, who had struggled to hit home runs this season, finally ended their dry spell with a clutch hit from Madelyn Lopez.

Lopez, a freshman, stepped up to the plate in the seventh inning of the first game with the score tied at 1-1. Canisius pitcher Megan Giese threw a pitch right down the middle, and Lopez smashed it into right-center field for her first career home run. The blast gave the Orange a much-needed cushion heading into the final half-inning, where pitcher Madison Knight retired the Golden Griffins in order to seal the victory.

Lopez’s heroics were the highlight of the day, but Syracuse’s success was a team effort. In the first game, the Orange overcame Giese’s perfect game bid in the fourth inning when Angie Ramos drew a walk and Angel Jasso hit a bunt single to bring her home. Lopez later drove in the go-ahead run with a single that scored Gabby Lantier.

Lindsey Hendrix started in the circle for the first game and bounced back from a tough outing against Florida State. Hendrix pitched five innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits and striking out five. Knight relieved her in the sixth and earned her first save of the season with two scoreless innings.

In the second game, Knight got the start but struggled early, giving up a two-run home run to Nicole Rivait in the first inning. Syracuse battled back with RBI singles from Rebecca Clyde and Ramos, but Canisius regained the lead with a two-run double from Saige Alfaro in the bottom of the second. Knight was pulled for Kaia Oliver, who held the Griffins scoreless over the final five innings.

Oliver’s strong pitching was supported by a timely hit from Jude Padilla in the third inning. Padilla doubled off the left-center wall to score Knight and Kelly Breen and give Syracuse a 5-4 lead. Breen also made a crucial defensive play in the third, diving to make a forehand grab and throwing out a runner at third to prevent the Griffins from tying the score.

Syracuse’s doubleheader sweep was a much-needed boost for the struggling team, which improved to 9-14 on the season. The Orange will look to carry that momentum into their next game against Notre Dame on Friday.

ajgotkin@syr.edu | @adam_gotkin