SU Opens 2009 Season at New Mexico

Friday, February 6

Albuquerque, N.M.

5:00 p.m. (MST)

Syracuse University

University of New Mexico

Freshman Gaby Torzilli hit her first collegiate home run in the season opener against UNM.

2/6/2009 9:55:42 PM | Softball

Boxscore

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Syracuse opened the 2009 season at the University of New Mexico with an eight-inning 5-4 setback to the Lobos. Freshmen Stephanie Watts and Gaby Torzilli hit their first collegiate homeruns. Watts was 2-for-4 adding a triple and two RBI, while Torzilli was 1-for-3 with one RBI.

"Sometimes you'll have games where you outplay an opponent but walk away with a loss," head coach Leigh Ross said. "That seems to be what happened tonight. We outhit New Mexico but they had a couple key hits at the right time. I saw a lot of good things from a lot of different players. I think this loss can serve as a little motivation for us when we step on the field tomorrow."

The Lobos scored in the bottom of the first to open the game. Senior Lobo Samantha Hughes was the leadoff hitter and doubled to centerfield to set the tone. From there, after a wild pitch by the Orange, Hughes advanced to third. After her teammate Shenise Cox was walked and then stole to second, Hughes scored when the Orange were unable to handle the double-steal.

The second inning was another New Mexico affair after the Orange went down one-two-three. UNM junior Erin Brandow was up first at bat for the Lobos. After being walked, she stole second and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt from Tianna George. Lobo Jessica Lujan-Dresslar had an infield hit claiming attention long enough for Brandow to score, putting the Lobos up 2-0.

Senior Jamie Kelling opened the third inning for SU at the plate, but grounded out. Watts was up next and hit her first career home run to deep left field. Senior catcher Amy Kelley and sophomore Hallie Gibbs were the final batters for the Orange. Both flew out to centerfield to end the inning.

The game remained 2-1 in favor of the Lobos until the bottom of the fifth when Cox tripled collecting two RBI off of Hughes and Janet Rendon who were on second and first, respectively. Lobo Katie Gilmore ended the inning by flying out to right field.

The Orange came alive in the seventh scoring three runs to tie the game. First was a homer to centerfield by Torzilli. After senior Jorden Rosen and Lindsay Wasek both grounded out, Kelling headed to first off a pitching error. Watts was up next and tripled to send Kelling home, only to follow soon after as the ball got away from the Lobos catcher. The Lobos failed to score a run in the bottom of the seventh and the game entered extra innings.

Gibbs opened what would be the final inning of the season opener with a double out to left field. However, senior Nicole Miller, freshman Lacey Kohl both grounded out and Torzilli popped out to shortstop to end SU's offensive chances. The Lobos scored the final run to win the game after Cox advanced from second base to score off an error.

Freshman Jenna Caira pitched five innings for the Orange and junior Brittany Gardner pitched three in relief.

Syracuse is back in action for game two of the three-game series with the Lobos at 3 p.m. ET. Gametracker and live video is available at GoLobos.com.