Syracuse University
Villanova
Saco Homers Twice in Series Split
4/17/2010 9:25:05 PM | Softball
Syracuse 3, Villanova 1
Villanova 5, Syracuse 1
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Sophomore Kelly Saco had a pair of home runs as Syracuse (22-17, 6-4) split a doubleheader with Villanova (16-22, 4-6) at the VU Softball Field on Saturday. The Orange took game one, 3-1, before the Wildcats came back with a 5-1 game two victory.
Saco hit a team best .333 (2-for-6) in the doubleheader and led the team with 17 defensive putouts at first base. Juniors Hallie Gibbs and Rachel Helman and sophomore Lacey Kohl all hit .250 (1-for-4) through the two games.
Freshmen Stacy Kuwik and Veronica Grant and sophomores Jenna Caira and Lisaira Daniels also registered hits for the Orange.
Caira earned her team-leading 11th victory of the season in the circle in game one, striking out seven while not allowing an earned run.
Syracuse 3, Villanova 1
The Wildcats were first on the board, scoring a run off of a hit and an error in the top of the first.
The Orange quickly responded as back-to-back one-out singles by Caira and Kuwik put the go ahead run on board. Helman drew a two-out walk to load the bases before Villanova pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba walked Grant, allowing Caira to trot home and even the score, 1-1.
Saco broke the deadlock with a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fourth, giving the Orange a 2-1 advantage.
Syracuse added an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Kuwik reached on an error by the centerfielder and advanced to second on a dropped ball in the outfield. She advanced to third on a wild pitch before Helman singled to left field, driving in Kuwik to produce the final, 3-1.
Villanova 5, Syracuse 1
After four scoreless innings, Saco broke through for the Orange with another solo shot to left center in the top of the fifth.
Villanova quickly responded, putting a pair of runs on the board off of two hits and an error in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead, 2-1.
The Wildcats added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth, plating three runs off two hits to produce the final, 5-1.
Syracuse concludes its three-game series at Villanova with a single game on Sunday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
