Syracuse University
Bryant
Orange Splits in Final Day in Lafayette
2/15/2010 1:30:07 PM | Softball
Syracuse 0, Bryant 4
Louisiana 10, Syracuse 4
Live Chat Transcript
LAFAYETTE, La. – Syracuse (2-3) split again on day two of the 24th annual Louisiana Classics, shutting out Bryant, 4-0, before falling to No. 23/24 Louisiana, 10-4. The Orange is the only team to score a run on the Ragin' Cajuns this season. Freshman Veronica Grant and sophomore Stephanie Watts were named to the all-tournament team.
Syracuse 4, Bryant 0
The Orange started off the day against Bryant, driving in four runs on five hits. Watts was 1-for-2 while Grant was 1-for-4, both had an RBI. Junior Hallie Gibbs was 1-for-2 with an RBI double while Morgan Nandin and Meghan Boston were both 1-for-3.
Freshman Stacy Kuwik earned her second start of the season in the circle, earning her first collegiate victory with 11 strikeouts through seven innings of work. Kuwik carried a no-hitter up until the third out of the seventh inning before Bryant's Laura Bowen doubled to center. Kuwik allowed only the one hit, throwing 63 strikes in 118 pitches.
Syracuse was strong defensively against the Bulldogs, working its way out of two multi-runner situations. Sophomore Lacey Kohl was the defensive leader for the Orange, collecting 12 putouts behind the plate while classmate Kelly Saco had five at first base.
SU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth as Lisaira Daniels drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Watts walked to put two on board for the Orange before Gibbs doubled to center, scoring Daniels to make it 1-0 Syracuse.
The Orange built its lead in the bottom of the second as Nandin reached on a dropped ball by the center fielder and advanced to second on the play. Grant singled with one out, allowing Nandin enough time to round home and score, making it 2-0 as Grant advanced to second on the throw home. Daniels laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing Grant to third and reached safely on a Bryant throwing error. Watts singled, driving in Grant to build the SU lead, 3-0, after five complete.
A run in the bottom of the sixth sealed the victory for the Orange, as Saco drew a one out walk. Boston singled up the middle to put two on base before a single through the left side by Nandin scored Saco to produce the final, 4-0.
Louisiana 10, Syracuse 4
Syracuse collected four runs on six hits against the Cajuns, snapping the teams four-game shutout streak. Boston was 1-for-2 at the plate while Grant, Daniels, Watts and Gibbs were all 1-for-3. Kohl was 1-for-4 with an RBI while Gibbs and Daniels also batted in a run for SU.
Defensively, Kohl led the Orange with seven putouts behind the plate while Saco recorded another handful at first base.
Sophomore ace Jenna Caira and veteran Brittany Gardner combined in the circle. Caira pitched four innings, striking out six while Gardner held the Cajuns without an earned run while striking out a pair in the final three innings.
Syracuse wasted no time getting on the board as Daniels drew a one out walk and took second and third on wild pitches by UL's Brittany Cuevas. Watts walked to put runners on the corners and set up the scoring play as she stole second. Louisiana catcher Lana Bowers tried to throw Watts out at second, but the ball trickled through to center, giving Daniels time to score the first run on the Cajuns in the tournament.
The Ragin' Cajuns quickly tied the score as back-to-back walks put two on with two out. Louisiana Classics tournament MVP Vallie Gaspard singled through the left side, scoring the lead runner to make it 1-1.
UL took its first lead in the top of the third, putting a runner on with a single and driving the run home as Bowers doubled down the left field line, 2-1.
The Orange answered in the bottom half of the inning as Grant, Daniels and Watts blasted three-straight hits. Grant and Daniels singled, while Watts doubled to right field. With Daniels on third and Watts on second, Gibbs grounded out to short, allowing Daniels to score on the throw. Kohl drove in the third run of the inning, singling up the middle to take back the lead for SU, 4-2.
Louisiana broke the game open, scoring six runs in the top of the fourth and concreted the victory with a two-run top of the fifth to take the tournament championship, 10-4.
The Orange has a week off before diving into its preseason tournament schedule. The team heads to Palm Springs, Calif. next to face its toughest competition of the season in the Cathedral Classic beginning February 26.
