Syracuse University
#17/17 Ohio State
Upset Alert: Syracuse Stuns 17/17 Ohio State, 11-3
3/19/2010 2:15:30 PM | Softball
Syracuse 11, 17/17 Ohio State 3
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Syracuse (11-10) used a 10-1 advantage in hits to dismantle 17/17 Ohio State, 11-3, on Friday afternoon in the opening game of the USF “The Game” Tournament at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. The win is the first against a ranked opponent for the Orange this season.
Seven different players stepped up for SU at the plate, with junior Rachel Helman and freshman Veronica Grant leading the way. Helman and Grant each hit .667 (2-for-3) and scored a pair of runs. Helman notched a double, while Grant had a pair of swipes, maintaining her lead as the BIG EAST's stolen base leader.
Sophomore Lisaira Daniels, junior Hallie Gibbs and sophomore Stephanie Watts all batted .500 against the Buckeyes. Daniels continued to impress, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored, four RBI and hit her first career home run in a Syracuse uniform. Gibbs also joined the home run club, going 1-for-2 with a long ball and three RBI. Watts was also 1-for-2, scoring three runs for the Orange.
Sophomores Kelly Saco and Lacey Kohl rounded out the offense, each batting .333 while Kohl knocked in a pair of runs.
Sophomore ace Jenna Ciara earned her fifth win of the season in the circle with her second one-hit performance of the season. Caira allowed three earned runs in 5.0 innings while striking out seven.
The Orange jumped out to a fast start, notching three runs off of two hits in the top of the first. Leadoff batter Grant was hit by a pitch and stole second on the ensuing play. Watts drew a walk, putting two on for Daniels, who homered to give Syracuse an early 3-0 edge.
Ohio State used one hit to score a run in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit, 3-1. The Buckeyes continued to bridge the gap in the bottom of the second, scoring a run to make it 3-2.
Syracuse broke the game open with five runs off of three hits and an error in the top of the fourth. Helman hit a one-out single through the left side and Grant singled through the right side, putting two on. Watts walked to load the bases and Daniels reached on an error by the left fielder, which allowed Helman and Grant to score, making it 5-2. A passed ball advanced Watts to third and Daniels to second before Gibbs hit her first home run of the season over the left field fence, increasing the Orange advantage, 8-2.
The Orange added a trio of insurance runs off of four hits in the top of the fifth. Helman hit a one-out double down the left field line and Watts laid down a perfect bunt that saw her aboard safely while advancing Helman to third with two outs in the frame. Daniels singled to the left side, scoring Helman and Gibbs walked to load the bases. Kohl singled to the left side, driving in Daniels and Watts to make it 11-2.
The Buckeyes scored their final run of the contest in the bottom of the fifth, producing the final, 11-3.
Syracuse continues USF “The Game” Tournament action against Florida Atlantic tonight at 4 p.m.
