Softball Finishes Weekend With Win Against Quinnipiac

Sunday, March 9

Tampa, Fla.

9 a.m.

Syracuse University

Quinnipiac (USF Invitational)

Amy Kelley paced the Orange with three hits and two RBI during the final day in Tampa, Fla.

Softball Finishes Weekend With Win Against Quinnipiac

3/9/2008 11:21:39 AM | Softball

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Junior catcher Amy Kelley continued her hot streak with a home run and two RBI to lead the Orange softball team to a 10-0, five-inning win against Quinnipiac (7-6) on Sunday. SU followed with a 4-0 defeat versus Kennesaw State (19-5) and finished the USF Invitational by winning three out of five.

"I told our team afterwards that I felt that we turned the corner," said head coach Leigh Ross. "We felt like things started to click and we were putting things together – not just today but for the whole weekend. We are only going to take our success from the last five games and try and build on it."

Kelley, who went 3-for-6 on the day, and senior outfielder Rachel Tilford hit back-to-back homers during the Quinnipiac contest. Tilford and senior Chanel Roehner totaled a team-best three RBI, respectively.

"Amy and Chanel really produced for us offensively and defensively," Ross said. "They both came through big for us and really set the tone for the rest of the team."

Roehner improved her pitching mark to 2-6 by throwing her first complete-game shutout of the season, allowing only four hits against Quinnipiac.

The senior tri-captain also got it done in the batter's box against the Bobcats with a double and a triple. She led off the game by getting to second with a deep shot that the leftfielder couldn't handle. Freshman third baseman Hallie Gibbs and Tilford each reached to load the bases and Kelley came through with a one-out single to put SU up, 1-0.

The Orange added another run in the second after freshman outfielder Rachel Helman, who batted .571 (4-for-7) during the weekend, walked and stole second. Roehner doubled with a deep shot to left center to score the Helman.

Roehner remained consistent by driving in two more runs in the fifth inning with her first career triple. Helman and junior first baseman Nicole Miller each scored on the play. Roehner eventually came home on another Kelley single.

The majority of the game's damage was done an inning earlier when SU produced another four-run inning. Tilford jacked her 14^th career home run with two runners on to put her team up 5-0 and Kelley added one more with a solo shot to the identical spot over the leftfield fence.

Senior pitcher Carolyn Schmolz was credited with the loss for Quinnipiac, allowing five earned runs and six hits. The Orange battered the Bobcats with nine hits – the fourth consecutive game SU has hit that mark.

During game two, Kennesaw State halted any momentum Syracuse carried into the game with a three run first inning behind two doubles and a triple.

The Owls added another run in the third and carried a no-hitter into the fourth, but Tilford singled to spoil the no-no.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Orange started to find its rhythm with singles by junior second baseman Lindsay Wasek and Helman, but senior pitcher Brittany Matthews managed to get her team out of the inning without any damage.

Matthews went the distance, striking out eight to improve to 13-1. Freshman pitcher Angie Sagnelli started the game and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and is now 0-6.

Sophomore pitcher Brittany Gardner added 5.2 innings in relief, striking out five and allowing only two hits.

The Orange returns to the field from Friday, Mar. 14 through Sunday, Mar. 16 at the College of Charleston Classic. SU opens play against Binghamton on Friday at noon.