Rosen Homer Leads SU in Split at STJ

Wednesday, April 8

Queens, N.Y.

3:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

St. John's

Senior Jorden Rosen hit a three-run homer to help the Orange to a 7-1 victory.

4/8/2009 9:24:16 PM | Softball

Boxscore Game 1
Boxscore Game 2

QUEENS, N.Y. – Syracuse softball traveled a few hours east on Wednesday, April 8 to take on St. John's for a clash between two BIG EAST rivals. Even with a late rally, St. John's (17-15, 7-5) grabbed a 4-3 victory in game one, but Syracuse (18-12, 7-3) recorded a convincing 7-1 victory in game two to split the doubleheader.

“We were all disappointed in the first game because we lost an opportunity to really put ourselves in a good position in the Big East,” head coach Leigh Ross said. “We had chances throughout the game but never took advantage of them. In the second game we took care of the things we should have. Jenna had a good performance on the mound, we played clean defense behind her and the hitters did their part by putting 10 hits on the board.”

Senior Nicole Miller put in a strong performance on both sides of the ball. She finished the day 3-for-7 with three runs, two RBI and her fifth career home run. She also totaled 21 putouts in the two games. Both senior Amy Kelley and freshman Stephanie Watts were 2-for-4 in game two, while sophomore Rachel Helman and senior Jamie Kelling were 2-for-3 and 1-for-3, respectively.

Game One

St. John's took an early lead on a home run over the right field wall by Stacia Dopudja. The Red Storm tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the fourth for a 4-0 advantage.

It was a defensive battle during the next two innings as neither team was able to score any runs. However, the Orange managed a late-game comeback in the top of the seventh. With freshman Lacey Kohl and Miller on-base, Wasek hit her fifth double of the year scoring Kohl to put SU on the board.

After Rosen was hit by a pitch, a single from Kelling plated Miller and Wasek to make it a one-run game. Despite a change in pitcher by the Red Storm, the Orange was unable to score another run.

Game Two

The Orange outhit the Red Storm 10-4 in the nightcap for the 7-1 victory. Freshman Jenna Caira pitched a complete game for coach Ross walking none and striking out seven.

Miller scored SU's first run of the game in the top of the fourth with a solo homer out to left field. It was her third home run of the season.

It was in the sixth that the Orange was able to put the game away. Watts opened with a double to left field, only to advance to third on a wild pitch from Red Storm hurler Kat Lawrence. Kelling then smacked a triple down the right field line to make it a 2-0 game.

Miller registered her second hit of the game with a single to send Kelling home. Following a base-hit from Kelley, Rosen hit a three-run homer for a 6-0 lead. SU's final run of the day came on a single from Helman. Kohl, who had reach on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on Helman's hit and went on to score courtesy of an error by STJ leftfielder Erin Harris.

St. John's finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Another home run from Dopudja would be the Red Storm's lone run of the game.

What's Next

Syracuse is back in action on Saturday, April 11 at the SU Softball Stadium. The Orange hosts Georgetown in a noon doubleheader.