SU Softball: Orange Offense Erupts in Game Two, but Doubts Remain after Split

By Anthony Vasquez | @Ant_Vasquez3

STEPHENVILLE, Tx – Saturday’s doubleheader in Texas looked awfully familiar to those who keep up with the team. Once again, the offense was shut down for most of the day, while the pitching was near unhittable in both games.

Syracuse managed to split the twin bill, with the loss coming on yet another walk-off homer given up by the same pitcher. The only thing different about today’s games was that the Orange dropped the early battle as opposed to the nightcap yesterday.

A rematch with Texas A&M CC opened up the day while a blowout win against Prairie View A&M ended it. Kaia Oliver trotted to the mound for the first time this year and held her own, giving up one Corpus Christi run in just two innings of work.

After she left, Ariana Adams rebounded quite nicely after giving up a game-winning homerun in the loss to Tarleton State. She tossed four innings of three hit ball and gave up just one earned run until a forgetful seventh inning crushed the hearts of the ‘Cuse yet again.

Yamila Evans managed to tie the game with a two-run double in the top half of the seventh, but her work was all for naught as Adams proceeded to give up her second walk-off homer in as many games.

Jaquelin Garza played hero for the Islanders while Ariana Adams once again left the circle as the losing pitcher.

Pinning the loss solely on her would be unfair considering SU mustered just five hits, three of which were in the top of the seventh.

Islanders’ pitcher Grace Gilbert silenced Doepking’s lineup card for six innings and kept things from getting out of hand in the seventh.

Gameday wasn’t done quite yet as Prairie View A&M trotted in with an ugly 0-9 record in the second of two Saturday matchups.

The ‘Cuse desperately needed another stellar pitching performance from freshman Summer Clark and boy did she deliver.

Clark played the Panthers to the tune of six shutout innings with a couple of scattered hits and four walks sprinkled in. Another win kept the Williamsville, NY native perfect at 5-0 on the year.

For the first time in Stephenville, the offense actually backed up its pitcher. SU erupted for 12 runs, 11 of which scored in the final four innings. The bludgeoning was so bad, the mercy rule ended the game in a swift two hours.

Tessa Galipeau stepped up in a massive way by contributing a couple knocks and four RBIs. As a matter of fact, the whole lineup helped the cause as eight starters had at least one base hit.

Even though Doepking’s lineup smashed 15 total, questions about the reliability of the offense are creeping into every game’s storyline.

If you isolate the Prairie View win, the Orange managed just six runs in three games. If it wasn’t for excellent pitching from the starting staff, Syracuse would’ve dropped all three.

An even 2-2 record in Tarleton’s invitational seems a little underwhelming, but with the way the lineup has been hitting, it’s the best-case scenario.

Another great offensive showing against Alabama State tomorrow should silence doubters for now, while an egg will surely raise the eyebrows of onlookers.