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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SU softball team (20-15, 8-2) will meet league newcomer DePaul for the first time on the diamond on Sunday, April 9 at the SU Softball Stadium. It is the second doubleheader in as many days for the Orange as they split with Notre Dame on April 8. Fans can listen to the live audio broadcasts of both game on All-Access, SU's subscription-based multi-media service. First pitch of game one is slated for 12:00 p.m.
ORANGE MATCHES BEST LEAGUE START IN TEAM HISTORY
For the second consecutive season the Orange have begun the BIG EAST Conference portion of its schedule by winning eight of its first 10 league contests. SU’S 8-2 record through 10 conference games is tied with last year’s stretch for its best start ever to the league season. Syracuse split its first home doubleheader of the year versus Notre Dame on April 8. The Orange posted a 2-1 decision in the first game, but lost, 7-5, in 10 innings in game two.
SU VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS
Today’s doubleheader versus No. 25 DePaul marks the sixth and seventh time this year the Orange has faced an opponent ranked in at least one of the two major national polls. SU is 0-5 in five meetings with ranked foes in 2006. The Orange is 5-29 versus ranked clubs all-time. SU scored a program-best three victories versus ranked teams last season.
LAST TIME OUT
Syracuse got its first-ever victory against Notre Dame at the SU Softball Stadium on April 8 with a 2-1 triumph in the first game of a twin bill. The Orange lost the second game, 7-5, on Carissa Jaquish’s two-run homer in the top of the 10th innning. The two teams combined for just six hits in the first game. Sophomore Erin Downey hurled all seven innings to pick up her 13th victory of the season.
It was a different story in the second game as the two squads combined for 25 hits and 25 runners left on base. SU pounded 13 hits and stranded 15 runners. The Irish delivered 12 hits and left 10 on base. The 10-inning affair marked the second extra-inning contest of the year of the Orange. SU played 11 innings against Sacramento State on March 18. Senior Alexis Switenko hit her BIG EAST leading 12th home run of the year in the contest. Switenko was 3-for-3 in game two and reached base in all six of her plate appearances She was intentionally walked three times. Freshmen Tonye McCorkle, Heather Kim, Switenko and and senior Cassie Morales each had three hits in game two, combining for 12 of SU’s 13 base knocks in the contest.
MORALES MOVES UP BIG EAST DOUBLES CHART
Senior Cassie Morales drove in two of SU’s five runs in the second game versus the Fighting Irish with a first innning double. It was the 47th two-bagger of her career and her 21st in league games. With the hit, she moved into sole possession of third place on the conference’s career doubles ledger. She currently trails Notre Dame’s Andrea Loman (22) and Villanova’s Ricci Lugo (24) on that list.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEMONS
DePaul is ranked 25th in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball rankings released on April 4 and it is receiving votes in this week’s USA/NFCA Coaches Poll. DePaul improved to 18-9 with a pair of wins against Pittsburgh on April 8. It is 5-1 thus far in conference action. The Blue Demons have outscored its foes 121-77 this season and they have seven players with at least 11 runs batted in. Amber Patton ranks third in the BIG EAST with a .418 batting average. She is 28-for-67 and went 5-for-6 in two games against the Panthers yesterday. None of her 28 hits have gone for extra bases. Marci Wilus and Jackie Tarulli-Fisher have each hit four home runs this season and Wilus leads the team with a .667 slugging percentage. DePaul has three pitchers that have won at least five games this season. Megan Huitink and Stephanie Blagaich lead the team with six victories apiece. Three of its four hurlers with more than one appearance have an ERA below 2.00 and Tracie Adix is tops on the club with 34 strikeouts.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Today’s games mark the first meetings between Syracuse and DePaul. 
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