Syracuse University
Canisius
Orange Splits with Canisius
5/4/2010 11:17:25 PM | Softball
Syracuse 4, Canisius 3
Canisius 3, Syracuse 2
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Sophomore Jenna Caira opened game one with 10-consecutive strikeouts as Syracuse (29-22) split a doubleheader with Canisius (31-19) on Tuesday at the Demske Sports Complex. The Orange took game one, 4-3, before a seventh-inning comeback fell short as the Golden Griffins took game two, 3-2.
Caira – the reigning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week – was dominant in the circle, retiring the Canisius lineup in order to open game one. The Toronto, Ontario native notched 13 strikeouts against the Golden Griffins, allowing three earned runs in the complete game win.
Rookie centerfielder Veronica Grant remained hot at the plate, leading the team with a .571 average (4-for-7) with a run scored, two RBI and a pair of stolen bases through the two games. Grant had a pair of doubles, tying the SU single-season record for extra-base hits with 18.
Sophomore right fielder Lisaira Daniels was second on the team, hitting .429 (3-for-7) with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Freshman shortstop Morgan Nandin hit .333 (2-for-6) with a team-best three runs scored through the two games while junior Rachel Helman, sophomore Stephanie Watts and freshman Ashley Dimon each tallied hits on the day.
Freshman Stacy Kuwik threw game two for the Orange, allowing one earned run while striking out seven in 6.0 innings of work.
Syracuse 4, Canisius 3
The Orange offense was hot early as Grant singled to shallow center to lead off the game. A single through the right side by Helman allowed the speedy Grant to reach third, but she was thrown out on an attempted steal of home. A ground out by Daniels moved Helman to third and a single to left field by Watts drove in the run to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
SU built its advantage in the top of the second as three-straight one-out singles by Dimon, Nandin and Grant allowed Dimon to cross safely. With runners on the corners, Grant stole second before a sacrifice fly to deep center by Helman allowed Nandin time to tag and score, making it 3-0 Syracuse.
Grant drove in what would be the game-winning run in the top of the fourth. Kuwik was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and Nandin hit into a fielder's choice that saw Kuwik out at second. A double to the left center wall by Grant gave Nandin room to score, increasing the Syracuse lead, 4-0.
Canisius retorted with three runs off of two hits in the bottom of the fourth, but couldn't complete the comeback as the Orange took to the top half of the twinbill, 4-3.
Canisius 3, Syracuse 2
The Golden Griffins turned the tables on the Orange in game two, scoring all three of its runs in the bottom of the first inning.
The teams battled back and forth through five scoreless innings before the Orange mounted a late-game comeback in the top of the seventh.
Kuwik reached base on an error by the first baseman but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice by Nandin. With Nandin on first, Grant sparked a rally, doubling to the left side before Helman walked to load the bases. Daniels singled down the third base line, scoring both Nandin and Grant to cut the Canisius lead, 3-2, but the Orange could not complete the comeback.
Syracuse concludes it regular-season schedule when it hosts DePaul at the SU Softball Stadium for a three-game weekend series beginning Saturday, May 8 at noon.
