Syracuse University
Maryland
Orange Season Ends in NCAA Regional
5/22/2010 3:57:18 PM | Softball
Maryland 4, Syracuse 1
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior pitcher Brittany Gardner threw the complete game in her career finale as Syracuse (32-26) concluded its historic 2010 season with a 4-1 loss to Maryland in the NCAA Regional on Saturday afternoon. It was the first NCAA Regional appearance for the Orange, which captured the program's first BIG EAST title last Saturday.
“We can't let the last two losses overshadow what we have accomplished,” fourth-year head coach Leigh Ross said. “We didn't know that we would be here at the beginning of the year. I kept telling the girls all week to enjoy the ride. We're here to enjoy this moment.”
Gardner went 7.0 innings allowing three earned runs while striking out four. The Sterling, Va. native finishes her time at SU ranked on seven career record lists including wins, appearances, games started, complete games, shutouts, saves, innings pitched and strikeouts.
Sophomore right fielder Lisaira Daniels was the leading hitter on the day, going 2-for-4 with a double, junior left fielder Rachel Helman had a double while junior third baseman Hallie Gibbs collected the fourth hit of the day for the Orange.
Maryland took an early lead, scoring three runs off of two hits in the top of the first before Gardner and the Orange settled into a rhythm. The veteran co-captain retired 15 of the next 16 batters she faced, silencing the Terps offense through the next five innings.
Syracuse got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Stephanie Watts drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Classmate Kelly Saco walked, putting two on before freshman Morgan Nandin drew a free pass with two outs to load the bases. Freshman centerfielder Veronica Grant brought in the run, drawing a bases loaded walk to bring in Watts and cut the Terps lead, 3-1.
The tournament hosts added an insurance run in the top of the sixth, plating a run off of three hits to produce the final, 4-1.
Maryland went on to face Fordham in the second elimination game of the College Park Regional, losing, 5-2.
