SU Wins Two in Day One of UCF Invite

Friday, February 27

Orlando, Fla.

4 p.m.

Syracuse University

University of Central Florida (University of Central Florida Tournament)

Senior Nicole Miller hit her first home run of the season in SU's 3-2 victory against UCF.

2/27/2009 5:16:39 PM | Softball

Boxscore vs. Maine
Boxscore vs. UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. – It was sunny and 75 in Orlando, Fla. as Syracuse (7-3) opened the UCF Invitational with victories against Maine and host UCF. The Orange recorded a 3-1 win against the Black Bears in a 2 p.m. matchup and followed it up with a 3-2 triumph against the Golden Knights.

"It feels good to be back on the field playing," head coach Leigh Ross said. "The girls carrier a great energy through both games. I'm proud of the way we took care of our business and walked away with two wins."

Freshman Stephanie Watts led the Orange finishing the day 3-for-5 with three runs, an RBI and her fourth collegiate career home run. Senior Nicole Miller ended the day 2-for-4 with two runs and her first home run of the season.

Syracuse vs. Maine

The Orange scored a run in the top of the first after Watts singled to right field and advanced to second on an illegal pitch by Black Bear Jenna Balent. Watts continued her move around the bases after a sac bunt from senior Jamie Kelling and scored on a single from classmate Kelly Saco.

Freshman pitcher Jenna Caira held the Black Bears scoreless until the bottom of the third. Maine's Kali Burnham was walked and advanced to second after Alexis Souhlaris was out on a sac bunt. Kristen Calvetta grounded out on Maine's next at-bat to send Burnham to third. Burnham scored on teammate Terren Hall's single to shortstop. Stephanie George ended the inning for the Black Bears with a bunt to Caira who threw it to Miller at first for the out.

Syracuse scored its final two runs in the top of the fourth. After both freshman Lacey Kohl and senior Jorden Rosen grounded out, Miller, senior Lindsay Wasek and Watts were walked to load the bases. Kelling singled up the middle, only to advance to second on the throw in sending Miller and Wasek home to give the Orange a 3-1 lead.

After a scoreless fifth, junior Brittany Gardner relieved Caira in the circle for the final two innings. She threw two strikeouts and didn't allow a hit to secure the victory for the Orange.

Syracuse vs. UCF
SU kept the momentum going into its game with the Golden Knights. Watts opened the game with a homer to left center to put the Orange up 1-0 in the top of the first. After Kelling flied out, sophomore Hallie Gibbs hit a double to right field and senior Amy Kelley added a single to put two batters on base. However, SU was unable to capitalize as it tallied two more outs to end the inning.

Freshman Gaby Torzilli was the first up to bat in the second for the Orange, but lined out to put Miller at the plate. Miller slammed one to left center for her first home run of the season giving SU a little more breathing room. Wasek and Watts both grounded out to send the Golden Knights up to bat.

Syracuse continued to hold the advantage as UCF remained without a run as the teams headed into the fifth. Watts headed to first after getting hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a Kelling single. She continued home on a wild pitch from UCF's Ashleigh Cole to increase Syracuse's lead to 3-0.

The Golden Knights finally scored in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a home run from Abby McClain. UCF managed to get two more runners on base in the inning, but back-to-back outs ended UCF's chances for the time being.

Watts had the only hit for the Orange during the seventh. After she singled up the middle, she headed to second after Kelling reach first on a fielder's choice. UCF secured two quick outs with a double-play on a Gibbs grounder and Kelley sent the Orange to defense after flying out to leftfield.

UCF's Tenisha Dixon scored the final run of the evening. She pinch-ran for Lindsay Dean who singled through the left side. She moved to second on a Megon Paul sac bunt and then to third on a passed ball. Tiffany Lane flied out to right field for the second out, but a single from McClain allowed Dixon to score. Gardner struck out Natalie Lane to secure the victory for the Orange.

SU takes on Stony Brook and Eastern Michigan tomorrow as the Orange continue play in the UCF Invitational. Stony Brook and Syracuse meet at 9:30 a.m. with Eastern Michigan following at 11:30 a.m. Orange fans can follow the games via Gametracker.