Syracuse softball splits doubleheader in day 1 at Terrapin Invitational

By: Nick Zuppe | @nickzuppe

College Park, MD – On day one of the Terrapin Invitational, Syracuse softball (8-6, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat Fairfield (3-7, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Conference) in game one 5-4, and lost to the host of the tournament, Liberty (7-9 Big Ten), 6-3. So, how did the Orange do it? 

Against the stags, it was all ‘Cuse early. It put up three runs in the second inning, thanks to a two-RBI single from Gabby Lantier. Plus, the ‘Cuse added another run one inning later on a Kendall Gaunt sacrifice fly.

After Fairfield cut the lead in half and capitalized on a two-out error from Gaunt in the bottom of the fourth, Kaylee Eubanks blasted her first-ever college home run to make it 5-2. 

Now things would get interesting in the bottom of the seventh. After already scoring two runs in the inning, relief pitcher Jackie Pengel slammed the door with a strikeout with the tying run in scoring position.

Also, SU starting pitcher Julianna Verni was spectacular. She threw 6.2 innings, striking out 11 hitters, which tied a career-high. So, could the Orange ride the momentum into game two against the Terrapins? 

From the jump, it looked like so. SU had another three-run second inning, with a home run from Rose Cano. The ‘Cuse added two more runs in the frame, thanks to a Harmony Jackson single. 

But Maryland flipped the script the rest of the way. The terrapins scored a run in the second and fourth, and then took the lead in the fifth with a three-spot. Plus, the terps added an insurance run in the sixth.  

In that three-run inning, Maryland capitalized on two very costly errors from the Orange in the inning, but also had three hits. Now, it could have been much worse for the Orange if not for Jackie Pengel. The senior came in relief of starter Madison Knight and slammed the door once again. With the bases loaded and one out, Pengel struck out back-to-back hitters. 

As for starter Madison Knight, she threw 4.1 innings, gave up five runs (four earned), and struck out four with three walks. 

All told, SU shot itself in the foot with its defense. The two errors proved to be the difference in the game, as both teams totaled eight hits. Plus, SU left nine runners on base, while Maryland left only 7. 

Also, Syracuse didn’t cash in when it had the chance, going just 1-9 with runners in scoring position. 

However, the Orange have only one game tomorrow in the Gamecock Invitational, battling UMBC, with the first pitch set for 12:30 AM.  

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