Syracuse Softballs Rocky Start to March
By: Adam Gotkin | @adam_gotkin
After finishing the first month of the season with a record of 6-6, Syracuse Softball has taken a step down. The Orange are just 1-8 in the month of March. With A-C-C play getting underway, now was the time the ‘Cuse needed to turn this up. But it seems the opposite has happened. So what has been the issue with S-U?
It may sound silly to read but it is as simple as this. Syracuse is giving up too many runs and not scoring enough runs in the month of March. The Orange have been shut out in five out of their nine games this month. In six out of nine games, Syracuse has given up more than five runs. In addition, the ‘Cuse hasn’t scored more than two runs in a single game this month. The pitching, while not great hasn’t gotten any help from the offense. In many games, the Orange fall down early and are playing from behind the rest of the game. While the pitchers try their best to stay in it, sometimes their opponents overpower Syracuse.
Looking at the bright side though, Syracuse has had one of the hardest schedules in the nation this month. Syracuse started things off with a matchup against Clemson who was ranked #4 in the nation at the time. The next week, the ‘Cuse had a cross-country trip out west to take part in the LanceUp Invite. Once the final tournament of the year came to an end, Syracuse had a trip back east. This time to Florida State who ranked #6 in the nation. So, when you look at it that way, Syracuse went 0-6 against two top six teams in the nation and 1-2 out on the west coast.
The Orange were able to keep things close at times against those top teams in the country. Against Clemson, the ‘Cuse came up just short, falling 1-0 in the series finale. In the middle game of the series against FSU, S-U was down just 3-1 going into the bottom of the 5th inning.
Up next for Syracuse, things get a little bit easier. Syracuse plays in its home state, New York for the first time this season. Tomorrow the ‘Cuse make the two hour trip west to Buffalo to take on Canisius in a doubleheader. The Golden Griffins, out of the MAAC, sit at 10-9 on the season. Canisius has played two power five opponents this year, Ohio State and Penn State. In those games, they are 1-2. Syracuse and Canisius have one common opponent, College of Charleston. Syracuse is 1-0 against CofC while Canisuis is 1-2.
After Canisius, Syracuse goes back west to take on Notre Dame this weekend. The Fighting Irish are 16-7 on the season and are on fire with five wins in a row. Then, Syracuse finally has its first home games of the season. On March 31st, the ‘Cuse hosts Lousiville in a three-game series to open up its home schedule. From there, Syracuse plays 14 of its final 23 games at home.
ajgotkin@syr.edu | @adam_gotkin
