Syracuse University
Bradley
Bradley Edges Orange in Season Opener
2/12/2010 5:48:06 PM | Softball
Bradley 3, Syracuse 2
LAFAYETTE, La. – Bradley (1-0) edged Syracuse (0-1), 3-2, in the opening game of the Louisiana-Lafayette Mardi Gras Tournament at Lamson Field on Friday afternoon. Syracuse staged a late-game comeback, loading the bases in the top of the seventh, but couldn't drive in the tying run.
Five newcomers cracked the starting lineup for the Orange, with four of those student-athletes making their collegiate debuts. SU started a brand new outfield against the Braves with Meghan Boston in left, Veronica Grant in center and sophomore transfer Lisaira Daniels in right. Morgan Nandin earning the starting nod at second base while rookie catcher Ashley Dimon stepped in behind the plate.
Nandin led the Orange offensively, going 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored in her collegiate debut. Sophomore Stephanie Watts finished 3-for-4 with an RBI while classmate Lacey Kohl logged a double.
Sophomore ace Jenna Caira pitched a complete game for the Orange, allowing a pair of earned runs while striking out 11. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native threw 80 pitches, 42 for strikes while surrendering four hits.
The Braves scored first, as Amanda Clack reached on a drop third strike error and stole second with two outs. Kate Singler drove in the run, dropping a single into shallow right field to put Bradley on top, 1-0.
Syracuse responded in the top of the third, as Dimon walked to lead off the inning before Nandin singled through the left side to put two on. Grant reached on a fielder's choice which saw Dimon out at third. Watts singled with two outs to load the bases for the Orange and Nandin scored on a passed ball to tie the game, 1-1.
Bradley ultimately cemented the win with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Singler earned a leadoff walk, the only issued by Caira, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jacqueline Vitale. Taylor Cox singled to put two on before Jackie Roth drove in both runners with a two-out single to center, giving the Braves a 3-1 advantage.
The Orange cut the deficit in the top of the fifth, as Nandin led off the inning with a double to left center. Grant reached on a fielder's choice, which saw Nandin tagged out at third. Grant stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw down by the Bradley catcher and Watts drove in the run with two outs, laying down a bunt that scored Grant to make it 3-2.
Syracuse threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but the Braves thwarted the attempt, collecting out three on a high pop up to the shortstop to concrete the 3-2 win.
SU is back in action on Saturday, February 13 when it faces host Louisiana-Lafayette at 4 p.m. before taking on Bryant at 6:30 p.m.
