Syracuse University
at Nicholls State (Mardi Gras Mambo)
Switenko Leads SU to Mardi Gras Mambo Championship Game
2/22/2004 12:32:18 PM | Softball
THIBODAUX, La. – Sophomore shortstop Alexis Switenko had two hits and drove in two runs to lead the Orangewomen softball team to a 4-3 victory versus Nicholls State at the Mardi Gras Mambo on Sunday, February 22. Syracuse is now 2-1 in tournament play, advancing to the championship game at 4 p.m. eastern time against the winner of the upcoming McNeese State versus Mississippi game.
The Orangewomen have now won four of their last five games and stand at 4-6 on the season. Nicholls State is now 1-5 on the season.
Switenko now leads the team with nine runs batted in. She has a team-best two multi-hit games and paces the Orangewomen with three games of at least two RBI.
Freshman Courtney Mosch was the winning pitcher. Mosch (3-3) allowed three runs on eight hits in her fourth consecutive complete game. Mosch struck out two and walked three. She has won three of her last four decisions. Nichole Wagner (0-3) was the losing pitcher in relief, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning.
Syracuse scored first in the bottom of the opening frame. Switenko drove in the run with a double down the left-field line. Junior right fielder Tiffany Robinson kept the Colonels off the board in the top of the second inning, throwing out a runner at the plate to end the frame.
Nicholls State came back to take a 2-1 lead on a two-out, two-run home run by Wagner, who started the game as the designated player, in the top of the fourth inning.The Orangewomen scratched out the tying run in the bottom of the inning on a two-out RBI single by freshman Erin Gray. It was Gray’s first career run batted in.
The Orangewomen took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth on two well-executed squeeze plays. A Nicholls State error put junior Tanya Rose on first. Robinson then stroked a double to the left-center field game to put two runners in scoring position. Senior Rachel Park laid down the first bunt and Rose beat the play at the plate. Switenko drove in her second run of the day with another squeeze as Robinson beat the throw home. Sophomore Cassie Morales was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but the Orangewomen couldn’t push across another run.
The Lady Colonels came back to score one in the seventh. Jody Robin led off with a double off the wall in left field and following a sacrifice, Teri Clouatre walked put the tying run on base. The Lady Colonels executed a successful double steal to cut the lead to 4-3, but Mosch closed the door with a ground out and a strikeout.
