No. 3 Alabama hands Orange softball first losses

After opening its season with a clean sweep of the Georgia State Tournament, the Syracuse softball team took its undefeated record on the road again. The Orange competed in the ‘Bama Bash hosted by No 3 Alabama, and finished the tournament with a 3-2 record.

SU’s first game was against Texas San Antonio, and it was a game they had to fight tooth and nail for. Pitcher Jenna Caira had a solid game as she struck out eight players in five innings. Though she did give up three runs, reliever Stacy Kuwik was able to finish the job and get the save.

The offense was powered by catcher by Lacey Kohl who hit her second home run of the season, freshman Jasmine Watson who went 2-for-3, and Lisaindra Daniels, who had a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

After escaping with a victory the Orange went on to play Louisville. The duo of pitchers did things in the opposite order as Kuwik earned her second win of the day pitching four strong innings of one run ball. Caira came in an earned the save as she pitched three innings and allowed zero unearned runs.

The Cardinals put up a fight, as they plated one run across in the seventh inning and had the bases loaded before Caira was able to stifle the surge and hand the Cardinals their third loss of the year.

With six straight wins and an undefeated record to start the year, the Orange had high hopes going into Saturday’s matchup versus Alabama. Unfortunately, the game was never close. After scoring three runs in the first inning Alabama never looked back as it kept pouring it on until they compiled a nine to zero lead that caused an early exit for SU.

In the Orange’s second game Saturday, Syracuse was able recover and get the best of Texas San Antonio for the second time in the tournament with a 3-1 win. Kuwik logged seven innings and surrendered only one run, while Veronica Grant, Morgan Nandin, and Kohl provided the offense for the Orange.

SU’s second win over Texas San Antonio propelled them into the final game of the tournament, a rematch with the Crimson Tide. Alabama didn't loosen up on the Orange as they pummeled Syracuse 20-5.

Following the ‘Bama Bash, the Orange will have little time to worry about their struggles against the Crimson Tide. SU will hit the road once again this weekend to compete in the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. There, the Orange will put their 7-2 record on the line against the likes of Utah, Hawaii, Fresno State, Nevada, and Cal State Fullerton.