Syracuse University
Connecticut
Gibbs, Watts Homer to Take Game Two
4/24/2010 5:13:06 PM | Softball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior catcher Hallie Gibbs and sophomore infielder Stephanie Watts had a combined three home runs and six RBIs to lead the Orange to a 6-9 win over BIG EAST Conference rival, the University of Connecticut Huskies, in game two of the double header on Saturday, April 24. Splitting the games 1-1 with UConn, Syracuse moves to a 24-20 record overall and 8-7 in the conference, while the Huskies drop to 19-23 on the season and 5-8 in conference play.
Watts roped her long ball in the bottom of the first, scoring Lisaira Daniels and putting the Orange on top early with a 2-0 lead.
With the game tied at two, Daniels tripled to start the bottom of the third and would score on a two-run homer by Gibbs. The Orange rallied to score its third of the inning thanks to a single from Lacey Kohl, putting Syracuse on top, 5-2.
In the Syracuse half of the fourth inning, Veronica Grant roped an extra-bagger, tying the school's single season record for most doubles by a freshman with a team-best of 14.
The Huskies managed to pull within two, scoring two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings. Gibbs, however, added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with her second home run of the game. Sophomore pitcher Jenna Caira was called in to close out the game for the Orange in the seventh, allowing no hits, runs, or errors.
Defensively for the Orange, shortstop Morgan Nandin had a strong outing for the Orange, grabbing two put-outs and one assist in the top of the third to help put away the Huskies. On the other side of the bag, second baseman Watts also had a great showing, with six putouts and six assists on the day.
In the first game, Syracuse made a strong comeback effort, using a seventh inning rally to pull within one. Grant roped a two-run homer to score Rachel Helman, but the Huskies were able to take the game, 3-2.
