Syracuse Softball Looking to Carry Momentum Into Weekend
By Spencer Pierce
CitrusTV Softball Beat Reporter
Like many other teams on the hill, the Syracuse University softball team has had an usual season.
That continued this past week, as the Garnet/Gold classic provided the Orange with a canceled game and a postponed game. Nonetheless, the Orange won the weekend and improved to 4-3 on the season.
Multiple players got opportunities this week, and many of them delivered. Amongst those players is Paris Woods. The senior is currently leading the team in batting average at .500 (through only six at-bats) and has continued to be a reliable bat off the bench for Shannon Doepking’s team.
Another player that has continued to stand out for Doepking has been Kaia Oliver. Oliver had a stellar game against College Of Charleston, pitching 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and giving up only 1 earned run. Her ERA is the lowest on the team, coming in at 2.53.
Alexa Romero is right behind Oliver in ERA though, at 2.57. The graduate student has found her groove, as seen in her showing against Saint Francis. She had 12 strikeouts and only allowed 1 run in 6.2 innings pitched.
The Orange defense has been anchored by a dynamic duo at the catcher position, Jude Padilla and Geanna Torres. The two typically split time behind the dish. Although their bats aren’t as stellar as some of the other players, their reliable defense and play style make them essential to the Orange.
Things aren’t going to get any easier for the Orange though, as they head into the Villanova Invitational with two very strong opponents waiting for them.
The Orange will take on Hofstra at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6th. Last year, Hofstra was lead by freshman Chelsea Manto, who hit .300 in 20 at bats in a shortened season. Hofstra will face the Orange in the first game of the Villanova Invitational.
Second for the Orange will be the Villanova Wildcats who are 0-5. With that being said, the Wildcats still pose a threat to the Orange, coming in with a game in which they scored 13 runs. Fortunately for the Orange, the Wildcats were mercy ruled by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish twice, which is a team that Syracuse had no issues with in their 3-2 victory.
Winning the next two games would provide the Orange with a spark that they needed. There will be a doubleheader on Saturday (barring weather issues) and then the Orange will wait until March 12th where they will take on Charlotte and Campbell in the Green and White classic. They do not return home until April 1st.
swpierce@syr.edu | @swlp91
