Syracuse Softball Gets Swept in the First Series of ACC Play Against #6 Duke

Nathaniel Cunningham | @n_cunning_0

In the first two games, Syracuse Softball (8-9, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) was held to just 5 hits by Duke (16-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). In the finale of the three game series, it was more of the same as the Blue Devils took down Syracuse 3-0. 

All the scoring came in the first for Duke. Third baseman Ana Gold notched a single into left field. Left fielder Claire Davidson drew a walk and designated player Kelly Torres was hit by a pitch loading the bases. First baseman Gisele Tapia continued her hot series with a triple down the right field line that cleared the bases.

From that point on it was all on the Blue Devils pitching staff. Jala Wright got the Start for Duke and did exactly what she did in game one of the series; strike people out. The Senior went four innings with just three hits and struck out five. In the second, Wright gave up a double and a single giving SU runners on first and third with one out. However a clutch play from third baseman Ana Gold kept the Orange scoreless.

In the fifth Lillie Walker took over for the Blue Devils and picked up where Wright left off. The senior closed out the game with three innings pitched and only two hits. 

Syracuse was held to just 10 hits in the whole series and havent scored a run over the last 22 innings. While SU’s offense has been stagnant, it can turn it around in a week at Norfolk State for the Orange’s final tournament of the season. SU takes on fellow Syracuse team, Le Moyne and Norfolk State on Monday.