Syracuse University
Villanova
Orange Tames Wildcats, 11-1
4/18/2010 2:03:53 PM | Softball
Syracuse 11, Villanova 1
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Syracuse (23-17, 7-4) defeated Villanova (16-23, 4-7), 11-1, on Sunday afternoon to win the series, 2-1. Sophomore Lisaira Daniels led the Orange offensively, hitting .667 (2-for-3) with three RBI while sophomore right-hander Jenna Caira earned her 12th win of the season in the circle.
Daniels led an Orange offense that scored 11 runs off of 12 hits, including seven extra-base blasts. Sophomore Veronica Grant batted .600 (3-for-5) with a pair of runs scored, a double and a triple. Junior Hallie Gibbs, sophomore Stephanie Watts and freshman Stacy Kuwik all hit .500. Gibbs was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored while Watts was 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored. Kuwik was 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs and two batted in.
Caira held the Wildcats to a single earned run while striking out four in a complete game, 6.0 inning performance.
After two scoreless innings, Syracuse got on the board with a pair of runs off of three hits in the top of the third. Caira led off the inning with a double to left center before Kuwik doubled to right center, easily scoring Caira. Grant singled and advanced to second on the throw and Kuwik scored on a sacrifice fly by Daniels, giving the Orange a 2-0 lead.
Villanova scored its lone run of the contest in the bottom of the first as a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt plated a run, 2-1.
The Orange broke the game open with three runs off of five hits in the top of the fifth. Kuwik led off the inning with her second double of the contest and a triple by Grant quickly brought her home. The Wildcats made a pitching switch after Grant's hit with Caitlin Delahaba entering to relieve Villanova starter Molly Manning.
Daniels kept the rally going as the first batter to face Delahaba, doubling to left center, scoring Grant. Gibbs completed the inning, singling to left scoring Daniels to build the Syracuse buffer, 5-1.
Syracuse continued to rally, scoring six off of six hits and an error in the top of the sixth. Grant hit a one-out double to right center and a single by Daniels gave the speedy Grant enough time to round home and score while Daniels advanced to second on the throw. A double to center by Watts scored Daniels and Watts stole third before Gibbs and sophomore Lacey Kohl walked, loading the bases.
Saco came through in the bases loaded situation, singling to left to score a pair. With Kohl on third and Saco on second, Delahaba walked Boston to load the bases before dealing a walk to Caira which allowed Kohl to cross the plate. With bases loaded Kuwik dropped a single in between the left fielder and shortstop, scoring Saco to produce the final, 11-1.
The Orange travels to Louisville visiting the Cardinals for a 1 p.m. doubleheader that will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
