Syracuse Softball Loses Home Opener to Louisville

By James Groh

SYRACUSE, N.Y – The Syracuse softball team drops its first home game 7-4 to the Louisville Cardinals.

All the signs were pointing to an Orange victory. SU took the lead in the bottom of the third courtesy of an Alicia Hansen RBI single. Pitcher, Anna Marie Gatti pitched a no hitter through five innings. However, it was the top of the sixth when the Cardinals rose up and the Orange unraveled.

Utility player Sydney O’Hara was subbed in for Gatti after she loaded the bases with one out. Then Louisville catcher Jenna Jordan doubled to center, scoring three runs. This was the beginning of the scoring for Louisville.

In the top of the seventh, Jordan drove in two more runs. She singled up the middle, driving in Alison Szydlowski and Nicole Pufahl. Jordan went 2-3 with five RBIs and a run of her own.

Two batters later, the Cardinals were able to capitalize on a Syracuse error that let two more Cardinals players run home.

SU was able to get a few runs back during a two out rally in the bottom of the seventh. After the first two batters grounded out to shortstop, Hansen drove in Sammy Fernandez with her second RBI single of the day. Syracuse was able to plate two more runs. Hansen scored off a Louisville fielding error, and Faith Cain drove in O’Hara with a single down the left field line.

However, the late game rally, and the game, ended with Cardinal’s pitcher Maryssa Becker tallying her 5th strikeout of the game. Becker pitched a complete game. This was her second complete game against the Orange and the 12th of her career. She gave up four runs on eight hits. It was her 14th win of the season.

Jordan led the Cardinal offense. She had two hits and five RBIs. Shortstop Caitlin Ferguson also contributed to the scoring by driving in one run off her only hit.

For the Orange, Alicia Hansen led the offensive effort going 3-4 with two RBIs. She has 15 RBIs on the season. On the mound, Gatti and O’Hara gave up 7 runs off 8 hits. Gatti was credited with the loss, and her record drops to 5-4.

Syracuse drops to 17-10 and Louisville improves to 19-8.

The series concludes tomorrow at the Onondaga Community College softball field at 5:30 PM.