Syracuse University
Virginia
SU Loses 2-1 to Virginia in Tournament Opener
3/12/2011 10:13:29 AM | Softball
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Virginia 2, Syracuse 1
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Junior centerfielder Lisaira Daniels led the No. 25 Syracuse University softball squad (16-4) with two hits, including a solo homerun, in a 2-1 loss to Virginia (14-9) on Saturday, March 12.
Daniels went 2-for-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Senior Rachel Helman added SU's only other hit of the game.
The Orange jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, thanks to Daniels' homer over the centerfield wall in the top of the first. Virginia's Marcy Bowdren tied it at one a piece in the bottom of the first with a solid double to left center.
Helman hit a leadoff single in the second and shortstop Morgan Nandin reached on an error, but both SU runners were left on base. In the bottom of the second, catcher Lacey Kohl threw a laser to Nandin to catch a UVA runner stealing and end the inning.
SU sent just three batters to the plate in the third, as the Cavaliers retired the Orange side. In the home half of the inning, UVA runners advanced to second and third on a Kohl pass ball and one run scored on a groundball out to give the Cavs a 2-1 advantage that they would hold onto through the remainder of the game.
In the fourth, the Syracuse bats were silent again, as a sharp hop off the Virginia shortstop's glove, and a quick pick and throw by the third baseman robbed Jasmine Watson of a single. The Orange countered with its own strong defensive showing when the squad returned to the field. SU stopped a UVA runner attempting to steal home thanks to a smooth, Kohl-to-Watts-to-Kohl play.
Neither team's offense was able to string anything together through the last three innings of play. Orange ace Jenna Caira tallied six strikeouts and gave up just four hits in her complete game effort.
