SU Splits Day Two at UCF Invitational

Saturday, February 28

Orlando, Fla.

11:30 a.m.

Syracuse University

Eastern Michigan (University of Central Florida Tournament)

Senior Jamie Kelling extended her hitting streak to 11 straight games after going a combined 3-for-7 against Stony Brook and Eastern Michigan.

2/28/2009 2:49:50 PM | Softball

Boxscore vs. Stony Brook
Boxscore vs. Eastern Michigan

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sophomore Hallie Gibbs and senior Jamie Kelling paced the Orange in day two of the UCF Invitational with Gibbs finishing 4-for-8 with four RBI, a double and a triple and Kelling going 3-for-7 with two runs and an RBI. After suffering a 6-3 setback to Stony Brook to start the day, the Orange rallied for a 6-3 victory against Eastern Michigan.

All four of Gibbs' RBI came against the EMU Eagles as she accounted for four of SU's six RBI in the game. Kelling extended her hitting streak to 11 consecutive games, a team high. Other top performers for the Orange included freshmen Stephanie Watts and Gaby Torzilli. Watts was 3-for-8 with three runs and two RBI in the two games, while Torzilli finished 3-for-7 with two runs.

Syracuse vs. Stony Brook
The Seawolves wasted no time Saturday morning scoring two runs in the top of the first for the early lead. Junior infielder Vicki Kavitsky, who reached after being hit by a pitch, scored the first run after having advanced around the bases courtesy of two SU errors. A single from Molly Kestranek, the only hit by Stony Brook in the inning, drove in classmate Kelsi Fanelli for the score.

Fanelli added to the Stony Brook total in the top of the third. After doubling to left field, she stole third and scored on another single from Kestranek for a 3-0 advantage.

The Orange finally got on the board in the bottom of the third. Kelling singled and then stole second as Gibbs stepped up to the plate. Gibbs also singled sending Kelling to third. A double from senior Amy Kelley sent Kelling home. Despite having freshman Nicole Lamison, who pinch ran for Gibbs, on third and Kelley on second, the Orange notched three quick outs to end their chances in the third.

The Seawolves went on to add another run in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 6-1 lead. Despite not adding any runs to its total in the bottom of the fifth, Syracuse added two more in the sixth to be within three of Stony Brook. With two outs, sophomore Rachel Helman was walked and moved to second on a wild pitch by SB pitcher Alyssa Struzenberg. A single to center field from Watts, who advanced to second on the throw, allowed Helman to head home. Kelling struck again with an RBI single down the right field line for SU's final run of the game.

Sophomore Angie Sagnelli pitched the final two innings for freshman Jenna Caira. She allowed only two hits to help prevent the Seawolves from adding to their total.

The Seawolves are now tied with the Orange, 1-1, in the series between the two teams. Syracuse won the first meeting in 2004, 10-2, in five innings.

Syracuse vs. Eastern Michigan

The Eagles grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after four straight base hits to send Stacie Skodinski in for the score. However, Syracuse answered with three runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead.

Torzilli singled to right field, but both senior Lindsay Wasek and Helman struck out. A base hit from Watts, followed up with Kelling being walked loaded the bases for the Orange. Gibbs pounded a triple to center field to tally three of her four RBI in the game.

The Eagles tied it up in the top of the fourth with an RBI-double from McKenna Russ. A ground out from Kaylee Tolliver plated Russ a short time later for the game-tying run.

After a scoreless fifth, the Orange added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Torzilli had the first of five SU hits with a single up the middle. Wasek was next drilling a triple to right center field, scoring Torzilli. Watts notched her second hit of the game with an RBI-single, and reached second on an Eagle error. Gibbs earned her fourth RBI with a base hit through the left side to score Watts, SU's final run against EMU.

Gardner, who pitched her fourth complete game of the season, secured the win for the Orange allowing no hits and striking out one in the seventh to end the game.

Syracuse extended its lead in the series with the Eagles to 2-0. The Orange won the first meeting back in 2006, 5-0.

SU takes on Tennessee State on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the final day of the UCF Invitational. The game will be played at Hagerty High School. Orange fans can follow the games via Gametracker.