SU Holds Off Bison Charge with 8-2 Win

Saturday, February 14

Charleston, S.C.

2:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

James Madison (College Of Charleston Classic)

Freshman Kelly Saco hit her first collegiate home run and added a double against the Bison.

2/14/2009 10:01:40 PM | Softball

Syracuse vs. James Madison
Syracuse vs. Howard

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Syracuse (5-2) continued play in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic this afternoon with two more games. The Orange met James Madison at 2 p.m. and then Howard in a 6 p.m. matchup at Patriots Point Stadium. Despite suffering a 3-2 setback to JMU, the Orange came away with an 8-2 victory against the Bison.

Freshman Kelly Saco led the Orange charge against the Bison going 2-for-3 with three RBI and her first collegiate home run. Senior Amy Kelley also added a home run, her second of the weekend, after finishing 1-for-2 with two runs. Freshman Stephanie Watts and senior Jamie Kelling both ended the day 2-for-4 with Watts contributing two runs and Kelling adding two RBI.

“We saw a few new kids get some time on the field against Howard,” head coach Leigh Ross said. “Kelly Saco had a great game offensively finishing with a double and a home run. We just have to come out tomorrow ready to finish strong in the tournament.”

Syracuse started early and started strong. Watts set the tone for the Orange with a triple in SU's first appearance at the plate. Kelling followed it up with a single with Watts running in for the score. Freshman Gaby Torzilli was walked in her turn at bat and sophomore Hallie Gibbs flew out to centerfield. Kelley then slammed one to left centerfield for the home run and earned an RBI off Torzilli. Saco flew out to right field to end the first.

SU added two more runs in the bottom of the third. Gibbs singled to first and then advanced to second when Kelley was walked. Saco then pounded a double to left field scoring both Gibbs and Kelley and putting the Orange up, 5-0. Freshman Lacey Kohl and senior Lindsay Wasek both grounded out to put Howard up to bat.

Torzilli relieved sophomore Angie Sagnelli, who had pitched a solid five innings with two strikeouts and six hits, in the circle in the top of the sixth and the Bison finally got on the board. Howard's Courtney Young grounded out, but Emily Johnson doubled down the left field line. Her teammate, Rebecca Kirshner, then drove a triple to left centerfield to send Johnson home for Howard's first run of the game. After Nicole Saez struck out, Ciera Gordon singled to bring Kirshner home. Jennifer Bien-Amie then grounded out to end the inning.

Saco opened the sixth with her first career home run, the first of three runs Syracuse would add to its total. Kohl doubled and then advanced to third following freshman Nicole Lamison's ground out. Watts singled to third base to bring Kohl around for SU's second run of the inning and then advanced to second courtesy of a throwing error by Saez at third. Kelling then singled and Watts rounded third and headed in for the score.

Torzilli finished off the Bison in the top of the seventh throwing two strikeouts. Kelling secured the other out after Howard's Carly Martin hit a line drive to shortstop.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Orange took on the Dukes. JMU scored in the bottom of the second after SU caught Katie Ryan stealing second and Chel'sea Ryan ran in for the score. Watts would score Syracuse's first run in the top of the third to tie the game 1-1. After being walked, Watts reached second after Torzilli's reached on an error at second by JMU's Kaitlyn Wernsing. She then ran home for the score and Gibbs reached first after a JMU fielder put out Torzilli at second.

The Orange took a slim 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth after sophomore Rachel Helman scored, having pinch ran for Kelley. However, the Dukes managed to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth and again in the bottom of the seventh to secure a 3-2 win.

"We had a couple of key mistakes on defense which left many of our runners stranded on offense," Ross said. "It's just a little setback but a good reality check for the team. We need to keep playing to our potential each game and not take anything for granted."

Syracuse is back in action tomorrow in day three of the Cougar Classic. Syracuse will face the East Tennessee Buccaneers at 10 a.m. in its final game of the weekend.