Syracuse University
Buffalo (N.I.S.T.)
Orangewomen Still Alive in N.I.S.T.
3/10/2002 11:47:54 AM | Softball
PLEASANTON, Calif. - The Orangewomen softball stayed alive in the consolation bracket of the National Invitational Softball Tournament with a 9-4 victory versus Buffalo on Saturday, Mar. 9. SU is now 2-4 in tournament action and 4-7 overall.
The Orangewomen led 8-0 after posting two runs in the second and third innings and a four spot in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Nikki Lincoln (Baton Rouge, La./Episcopal) put Syracuse ahead with a two-run triple that scored freshman Taylor Petersen (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) and junior Julie Dunn (Springfield, Ill./Springfield).
Sophomore Cheryl Julicher (Williamsville N.Y./Williamsville North) provided the fireworks in the third inning, belting a two-run home run to left field. It was the Orangewomen's first long ball of the season.
Syracuse put the game away in the top of the fourth. Lincoln drove in her third run of the game with a single. After a walk and error that allowed another run to score put runners on first and third, redshirt sophomore Rachel Park (Mt. Juliet, Tenn./Friendship Christian) delivered a two-run single. Park has now driven in eight runs this season, two more than in her freshman campaign in 2000.
The Bulls closed within 8-4 with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Jessica Kensy, Melissa Pace and Erica Pace all drove in runs. The Orangewomen plated their final run of the game in the top of the seventh. Dunn did the honors with a run-scoring single.
Petersen was the winning pitcher for Syracuse. She is now unbeaten in her two starts. She gave up three earned runs in five and one-third innings. Petersen struck out five and walked only one. Junior Tara DiMaggio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) pitched an inning and two-thirds of hitless relief. Heather Robbins took the loss for Buffalo.
Four players had two hits for the Orangewomen. Lincoln went 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI, while Julicher was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Park and Dunn also collected two hits each.
Syracuse advances in the consolation bracket to face Santa Clara at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The winner will face UNC Greensboro at 3 p.m., while the loser is finished at the N.I.S.T.
