Syracuse University
No. 4 Villanova
Orange Advances to BIG EAST Semifinal
5/13/2010 2:30:44 PM | Softball
Syracuse 4, Villanova 3
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fifth-seeded Syracuse (30-24) upset No. 4 Villanova (27-28), 4-3, in the BIG EAST quarterfinal on Thursday morning at Ulmer Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The win marked the second conference championship victory for the Orange, who advances to the tournament semi-final for the first time since 2005 and the first time in the championships single-elimination format.
Sophomore pitcher Jenna Caira, an All-BIG EAST second team selection, led the Orange both offensively and defensively, earning the win in the circle while hitting .667 (2-for-3) with a double and an RBI. Junior Rachel Helman also hit .667 (2-for-3) with a run scored while classmate Hallie Gibbs hit .500 (2-for-4) with a double and a pair of RBI. Sophomores Stephanie Watts, Lisaira Daniels and Kelly Saco also collected hits for the Orange as the teams tied, 9-9, in that category.
The win also marks the second-consecutive 30-win season for the Orange, who finished at 30-21 in 2009. It is the third 30-win season in team history, the program record is 36, set in 2006.
Syracuse found itself down early, as Villanova tallied five of their nine hits on the day in the bottom of the first inning. Three-consecutive singles by the top three hitters plated an early run before a one-out double brought in a second, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.
The Orange responded with three runs off three hits in the top of the third to take a lead it would never relinquish. Helman led off the inning with a single to center and advanced to second on a ground out by freshman Veronica Grant. Daniels drew a walk to put a pair on board before Gibbs doubled to right, scoring the two. The rally continued as sophomore Lacey Kohl walked and Caira doubled to center, scoring Gibbs to make it 3-2.
Grant plated what would be the game winning run in the top of the seventh as she was hit by a pitch, putting her on board. A perfect bunt by Watts put her aboard safely while advancing Grant to second and a throwing error by the catcher allowed the speedy Grant to move to third. A passed ball allowed Grant to slide in safely at home, increasing the SU lead, 4-2.
The Wildcats used two hits to put a run on the board in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't complete the comeback against a strong Syracuse defense as the Orange went on to win, 4-3.
Syracuse faces the winner of No. 1 DePaul and No. 8 Rutgers on Friday, May 14 at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised live on CBS College Sports.
