Syracuse Concludes Play at LBSU Invite

Sunday, March 8

Long Beach, Calif.

3:45 p.m. (PST)

Syracuse University

Long Beach State (Long Beach State Tournament)

Sophomore Rachel Helman finished the day 3-for-5 for the Orange.

3/8/2009 11:59:22 PM | Softball

Boxscore vs. FIU
Boxscore vs. LBSU

LONG BEACH, Calif. – In its final day of action on the west coast, the Syracuse softball (10-8) suffered setbacks to FIU and host Long Beach State. On Sunday afternoon the Golden Panthers came away with a 5-2 victory against the Orange, while the 49ers secured a 4-1 win.

Syracuse finished the weekend 1-4 with its lone victory coming in a 4-0 shutout against Longwood.

Syracuse vs. FIU

Senior Nicole Miller led the Orange against FIU. She finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI. Senior Amy Kelley, sophomore Rachel Helman and freshman Lacey Kohl all finished the game 1-for-3.

Ashley McClain, who led off the game for the Golden Panthers with a single, scored FIU's first run in the top of the first. With the bases loaded and McClain sitting at third, teammate Lauren Spiers drew a walk to plate McClain. Two outs later with the bases still full, Kim Rodriguez headed home after freshman pitcher Jenna Caira walked Katie Bell.

FIU added another runs in the second. Iriseldis Soberon singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a groundout from McClain. She then headed to third on a wild pitch. Rodriguez was walked in her second appearance at bat. She stole second and Soberon scored on an overthrow to second by Kelley to put FIU up, 3-0.

The Golden Panthers scored their final two runs in the top of the fourth. McClain hit her second single of the game and advanced to third on a double from Rodriguez. Spiers then singled to send both runners home giving FIU a 5-0 lead.

Syracuse scored its first run in the bottom of the fourth. After sophomore Hallie Gibbs flied out, Kelley recorded a base-hit to centerfield. Senior Jorden Rosen was walked moving Lamison, who pinch ran for Kelley, to second. A single from Kohl loaded the bases and a single from Miller sent Lamison in for the score.

SU's second and final run came in the bottom of the fifth with the help of two FIU errors. With Watts and Kelling sitting at the corners, Gibbs hit a long fly ball to Rodriguez in centerfield. Despite Kelling being out on the play after Rodriguez sent the ball to first for the out, Watts ran in for the score.

Syracuse vs. LBSU
LBSU wasted no time going up 4-0 early after two runs each in the first and the second. Danielle Linke was hit by a pitch in the 49ers first at-bat. She then advanced to second on a sac hit from teammate Ashley Weber. After Jennifer Griffin drew a walk, Kristen Pocock singled down the right field line scoring Linke. Brandy Reyes then reached on a fielder's choice and headed to second on a throwing error by Kelling at shortstop to score Griffin.

In the top of the second, Brianna Goad and Jodi Nakawatase hit back-to-back singles. The pair then advanced around the bases on a ground out by Linke. Both scored on a single from Ashley Weber to put The Beach up, 4-0.

Syracuse scored in the top of the seventh. Freshman Gaby Torzilli started the inning off with a single down the left field line. After two outs, freshman Kelly Saco knocked a single to second base and advanced to second on the throw to second Torzilli to third. A single from Helman, who finished the game 2-for-2, scored Torzilli to secure the final score of 4-1.

Syracuse has the week off before traveling to Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational. The Orange plays four games beginning with North Florida on Friday, March 13 at 11 a.m. This will be the final tournament before BIG EAST play begins on March 21.