SU Splits BIG EAST Opener at Seton Hall

Saturday, March 21

South Orange, N.J.

Noon

Syracuse University

Seton Hall

Freshman Stephanie Watts hit a grand slam in game two of SU's BIG EAST opener at Seton Hall.

3/21/2009 7:11:23 PM | Softball

Boxscore Game One
Boxscore Game Two

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Syracuse softball went 1-1 in its BIG EAST opener at Seton Hall Saturday afternoon. Despite suffering a 5-1 setback in game one of the doubleheader, the Orange put in a strong showing in game two with a 9-0 shutout with freshman Jenna Caira in the circle.

Freshman Stephanie Watts scored Syracuse's (11-9) only run in game one, but was 2-for-4 with a grand slam in game two. Sophomore Hallie Gibbs was also a strong presence at the plate finishing 4-for-7 for the afternoon. Freshman Kelly Saco secured SU's first three runs in game two with a three-run home run, the second in her short collegiate career. Six other members of the Orange squad scored runs in the second game.

“I was disappointed in our play the first game of the doubleheader,” said head coach Leigh Ross. “As hitters, we did not make adjustments.

“In the second game we saw a couple players step up when needed. Kelly Saco's home run in the first was key and allowed the team to relax and not push too much to try and force things to happen. The grand slam from Watts and Emily Casey's clutch hit in the sixth helped, as well.”

Game One
Watts opened the noon doubleheader reaching first after being walked in SU's first at-bat of BIG EAST play. She advanced to third on a sac bunt from senior Jamie Kelling, only to score on a mishandled throw from Seton Hall's Leah Menichetti for an early 1-0 lead.

The Pirates answered in the bottom of the fourth as Nalin Bennet homered to left centerfield to tie the game, 1-1. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Kealan Waldron scored on a left field single by teammate Nicole Loewenstein to give SHU a 2-1 advantage.

Seton Hall added its final three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Brittany Schillizzi added on the first two with a two-run home run early in the inning. First baseman Shannon Pease tacked on the final run of the game after Menichetti walked with the bases loaded.

Game Two
Syracuse wasted no time in the second game, going up 3-0 in the first. Watts opened the game with a base-hit to the right side and advanced to second on a ground out by Kelling. After senior catcher Amy Kelley was intentionally walked, Saco powered her second career homer scoring Watts and Kelley giving the team some breathing room.

The Orange increased its lead to 7-0 with four runs in the top of the fourth. Freshman Emily Casey was first on base for SU courtesy of an error by the Pirate shortstop. Casey moved to second on a single from senior Lindsay Wasek and to third on a base-hit by sophomore Rachel Helman. Watts then pounded her team-leading fifth home run to centerfield for her first collegiate grand slam effectively putting the game out of reach.

Freshmen Lacey Kohl and Leah Porter scored SU's final two runs for the 9-0 victory. Kohl, who pinch ran on a Gibbs single, scored on a base-hit by Casey and Porter headed home on the same hit after a throwing error by SHU's third baseman.

The Pirates, who managed to put runners on base in four different innings, were unable to capitalize on those opportunities.

Caira pitched a complete game for the Orange throwing nine strikeouts and allowing only four hits. It was her first career shutout as she moves to 4-4 on the season.

“I'd like to see two things happen from here,” said Ross. “One – this team should have a sense of urgency to get the job done from the first pitch to the last every single game. Two – I'd like to see a couple players step up and take on more of a leadership role.”

Syracuse is back in action on Tuesday, March 24 in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Buffalo.