Syracuse Loses to 18th-Ranked Nebraska in Kia Classic Consolation Semifinals

Sunday, March 20

Fullerton, Calif.

1:30 p.m. EST

Syracuse University

vs. #18 Nebraska (Kia Classic)

Alexis Switenko drove in three runs, including two on a home run, in SU's loss to Nebraska.

Syracuse Loses to 18th-Ranked Nebraska in Kia Classic Consolation Semifinals

3/20/2005 5:19:05 PM | Softball

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Syracuse softball team lost in the consolation semifinals of the Kia Classic, 4-3 versus 18^th-ranked Nebraska. It was the fifth consecutive game for SU (10-9) against a top-25 team. The Cornhuskers improved to 20-7 on the season and advanced to the consolation championship game.

Junior Alexis Switenko drove in all three of the Orange’s runs, including two on her second home run of the season. Freshman Chanel Roehner had Syracuse’s other two hits and scored two runs.

Freshman Erin Downey (4-4) was the losing pitcher for the Orange. She threw six innings, allowing four runs, two of which were earned, on nine hits. She struck out three and walked two. Ashley DeBuhr (11-6) got the win for the Huskers. She struck out seven without giving up a walk.

Syracuse scored in the top of the first to take the early 1-0 lead. Roehner doubled and moved to third on an error. Switenko drove in the run with a sacrifice fly. Nebraska came back with two runs in the home half of the first. Elizabeth Rock drove in a run with a sacrifice and the go-ahead run scored on an error.

The Orange took a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth. Roehner again started the offense with a one-out single and came around on Switenko’s shot to right center. Nebraska answered again in the bottom of the sixth. Katie Linke doubled to center to tie the game at 3-3. The winning run scored after a throwing error on a pick-off attempt at third base.

Syracuse finished play at the Kia Classic with a 1-4 record, all versus ranked opponents. The Orange returns to action on Thursday, March 24 with a doubleheader at Massachusetts. SU takes on Brown in a twin bill on Friday, March 25.