Following another successful weekend, Syracuse Softball is approaching an eight game winning streak which would tie for the longest streak in school history. SU (24-5, 3-0) swept Rutgers this past weekend to extend its winning ways.
Despite playing on the Scarlet Knight’s home turf, it was the Orange [13] who dominated, as they demolished Rutgers, 23-0, in the opening game. Syracuse’s offense got off to a fast start by scoring four in the first inning and it never looked back.
The offensive firepower of the Orange was ignited by their four home runs, two of which were by Hallie Gibbs [14]. Gibbs also chipped in by getting seven RBI’s and Jasmine Watson [15] added five RBI’s off of her three hits. The 23 runs scored were the most on the year for the Orange and the most in school history. Ace pitcher Jenna Caira [16] combined with Stacey Kuwik [17] to throw a no hitter for SU. It was the first no hitter thrown by a Syracuse pitcher since Caira tossed two in 2009.
Despite the opening blowout, the second game was much more of a contest than the first. Caira pitched in the second game as well, and gave another solid performance by limiting Rutgers [18] to only one run over five innings. She was able to strikeout eight, but her most impressive moment was when she was able to avert a fourth inning jam by striking out the Scarlet Knight, leaving two base runners stranded.
The offensive production came from Stephanie Watts [19] and Kelly Saco [20]. Watts had an RBI single while Saco was able to knock in a couple of runs for the Orange. Rutgers was down 5-1 in the fifth inning before Ashley Bragg hit a solo home run to shorten the deficit, but that’s as close as the Scarlet Knight’s would get.
The final game of the weekend, played Sunday, was shortened on account of the mercy rule as SU won, 10-2. Watts was a major reason why, as she went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Lisaira Daniels [21] and Saco also contributed by each bringing in a run and two RBI’s.
Caira pitched well once again as she threw a complete game and allowed only one run on seven hits. The win gave Caira her 15th on the season. This game was very close at a score of 4-2 until the sixth inning when SU was able to put across six runs. They continued to string enough hits until Gibbs hit a double to clear the bases.
Rachel Helman’s groundout put SU at 10 runs which enacted the mercy call. The win gave Syracuse the sweep and now the Orange move on to face another Big East foe Saturday when they head to South Florida.
