Syracuse wrapped up day 3 of the Kickin’ Chicken Classic with a 1-1 slate.
By: Nathaniel Cunningham | @n_cunning_0
Syracuse came into day 3 of the Kickin’ Chicken Classic with a 2-1 record on the back of a 13-3 thrashing of Campbell in 5 innings. The Orange had 2 more opponents on its schedule before leaving South Carolina; George Washington and familiar foe Campbell.
Game One vs George Washington
Revolutionary Attack
Not much happened in the first inning but in the bottom of the second GW started the scoring with a single to center field by Cadence Gilliand. One run would score and George Washington had an early 1-0 lead.
The Orange would take the lead themselves in the top of the third, thanks to a two-RBI single from Angel Jasso. But the Revolutionaries wouldn’t let that lead stay for long. In the bottom of the third a walk, a double, and then a single from Mandy Lauth brought the game to a tie once again.
In the 4th when SU changed pitchers to Britney Lewinski, George Washington decided to seize the moment and break the game wide open. A hit batter followed by a wild pitch saw a runner on second just moments into the bottom of the fourth. Back to back sacrifice bunts saw Paige Hayward touch home and the GW retook the lead.
Then a walk, a single, and a walk loaded the bases with two outs until Mandy Lauth decided to clear them herself. A single to right field and a throwing error cleared the bases and GW had a four run lead with three innings to go.
Fight Orange, Fight
No scoring in the fifth meant SU’s time was running out but in the top of the sixth Payton Schemmer put her rally cap on. A solo home run to right field tallied the sophomore’s first career home run. SU ended the inning with a 3 run deficit.
With just three outs left a lot of pressure was on the Orange. Lead off singles from Oliva Pess and Madelyn Lopez followed by a sacrifice bunt saw SU have runners on second and third with one out. Angel Jasso came through with her third RBI of the game scoring one on a single. Taylor Posner followed that with another single and SU was down just 1 with one out. However, pop outs from Vanessa Flores and Angie Ramos saw SU’s efforts fall short in a 6-5 loss to George Washington.
Game Two vs Campbell
If it’s not broke, Don’t fix it
In game one against Bucknell, Senior Lindsey Hendrix pitched a complete game shutout. So following that up in the final game was going to be hard, but Hendrix may have one upped herself.
In six innings of work, the senior gave up just three hits, struck out three, walked just 2 and didn’t allow a single run. That means that in Hendrix’s 2 starts this year, she has 2 complete game shutouts.
Although that stat line is impressive it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In the third inning Hendrix gave up 2 walks and a stolen base. But with the bases loaded she escaped the jam with no runs scored. Then on the 4th, Hendrixs allowed the back to back singles but did not allow another ball to leave the infield the rest of the inning.
Third Inning Thumping
The Orange were silenced during the first two innings but in the third SU cracked open the score. A single from Kelly Breen, a walk from Makenzie Foster, and a single from Angel Jasso loaded the bases with no outs. Then Taylor Posner reached on fielder’s choice and one scored. Then Vanessa Flores did the same thing but with a single to center. Two scored and SU led 3-0. On the very next pitch Laila Morelas-Alves grounded out but scored another. Syracuse tallied four runs in the third inning.
In the 4th, Mackenzie Foster hit her first career home run to add a 5th run. That is all that the Orange would need in order to take down the Camels.
Next weekend Syracuse Travels to Hammond, Louisiana to take part in the Southeastern Louisiana Lion Classic. The Orange start with a double header on Friday against Maryland and Southeastern Louisiana.
nbcunnin@syr.edu | @n_cunning_0
