Saturday, March 26
Piscataway, NJ
1 p.m.
Syracuse University
23
at
0
Rutgers
Kelly Saco recorded a homerun in both of SU's wins on Saturday, March 26.
SU Sweeps Doubleheader at Rutgers
3/26/2011 11:40:58 AM | Softball
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Syracuse 23, Rutgers 0
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Syracuse 5, Rutgers 2
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Syracuse University softball squad (23-5) swept a doubleheader against Rutgers (10-17) in its first BIG EAST Conference action of the season. SU earned a record setting 23-0, five-inning shutout victory in game one and closed out the day with a 5-2 win on Saturday, March 26.
Four Syracuse batters recorded homeruns in game one. Hallie Gibbs led the squad, going 3-for-5 at the plate, with seven RBI and a homerun in two consecutive innings. Jasmine Watson tallied five RBI on three hits. Stephanie Watts also had three hits in the game with four RBI of her own. Kelly Saco rounded out SU's homerun hitters, going 2-for-4 at the dish.
Jenna Caira and Stacey Kuwik combined for a complete game no-hitter, allowing just two RU batters to get on base.
SU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the first in game one of the doubleheader. Watts drew a leadoff walk to open the game and Lisaira Daniels followed with a two-base liner to deep left. With two runners in scoring position, Gibbs stepped to the plate and drilled a single into the right-center gap to record the two RBI. Saco popped up a high fly that fell in short center for a single, and with a walk to Rachel Helman, the bases were loaded for Watson, who laced a two-run shot into left center.
Syracuse showed off its defensive prowess in the bottom of the first, as Watts snagged a liner and tossed it to Saco, who tagged the runner retreating to first, for a smooth double play to end the inning.
In the top of the second, Saco added to the SU lead with a two-run homer to left center, putting the Orange on top, 6-0. Helman slapped one deep to left for a stand-up double and scored on a blast by Watson. Morgan Nandin followed with a RBI two-bagger of her own to make it a 8-0 game. Veronica Grant sent a chopper up the middle and legged out an infield single allowing Nandin to score. Watts stepped in and sent one deep and out of the park, giving SU an 11-0 advantage.
Gibbs reached on an error and Saco walked to start the third before Helman hit an RBI single. Saco scored on a Rutgers double play, as the Orange went ahead, 13-0.
The Orange added another seven in the top of the fourth, with homeruns from Gibbs and Watson. Gibbs stepped up to the dish once again in the following inning and blasted her second homer of the game to put the Orange on top 22-0. Watson added the last run of the game for the Orange, scoring on a wild pitch. The squad shut down the Scarlet Knights in the bottom of the fifth to earn a 23-0 mercy rule victory.
With 23 runs in the contest, the Orange topped a single-game program best. The previous record of 15 runs was set in earlier this season against Gardner-Webb. SU also set a new team-best with 19 hits in the outing.
In game two, Saco led the Orange with a .500 average and two RBI. On defense, Caira hurled five innings, tallying eight strikeouts and allowing one run.
Watts opened the game with a walk and stole second to get in scoring position. The Orange loaded the bases for Saco, who scored Watts on a dropped popup. Helman nailed a RBI single to put SU up, 2-0. After changing its pitcher, RU walked in Gibbs to extend SU's lead.
Strong defensive work kept the bats on both sides quiet through four innings of play. Gibbs got things rolling with a leadoff single in the top of the third and SU threatened to extend its lead when Saco followed with a liner to right center, but RU was able to end the inning with two run-down outs.
Rutgers earned its first hits of the day in the bottom of the fourth, as SU gave up two infield singles. However, Caira recorded a strikeout to end the inning and get her squad out of a first-and-third jam.
Saco sparked the Orange offense back to life in the top of the fifth with a two-run bomb over the centerfield fence.
In the bottom of the fifth, Rutgers put its first run of the day on the board thanks to a double steal, making it a 5-1 game. RU got on the board again in the bottom of the seventh with a solo homerun by Ashley Bragg, but Syracuse was able to hang on to take the 5-2 victory.
Syracuse Softball
Friday, March 27
Softball vs. Virginia (DH 2) 3/21/26
Sunday, March 22
Syracuse Softball vs. Virginia (DH 1) 3/21/26
Sunday, March 22
Syracuse Softball Highlights vs. Florida State 3/15/26
Tuesday, March 17
