Thursday, May 12
Louisville, Ky.
10 a.m.
Syracuse University
2
vs
1
No. 6 Pittsburgh
Daniels Lifts SU Past Pitt, 2-1
5/12/2011 1:37:17 PM | Softball
Syracuse 2, Pittsburgh 1
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior Lisaira Daniels hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Syracuse (42-11) to a 2-1 win against Pittsburgh (34-17) in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament. Syracuse will face DePaul in the semifinals on Friday (May 13) at 2:30 p.m.
The Orange came alive when it counted after being held scoreless through six innings.
“The last inning showed us just what our entire team is made of. That's a clutch situation”, said head coach Leigh Ross. “A lot of credit goes to Pitt's pitcher. She did a great job. Going into the last two innings, we tried to break things down and go one step at a time.”
With the Orange trailing, 1-0, heading in to the bottom of the seventh inning, junior pitcher Jenna Caira stepped to the plate. Caira cranked a line drive to left field for a single. Freshman Shirley Daniels entered the game as a pinch runner for Caira. After staying alive for more than 10 pitches, designated hitter, freshman Kealy McMullen hit an infield single.
With runners on first and second base, sophomore Veronica Grant knocked down a sacrifice bunt to move S. Daniels and McMullen into scoring position. SU's best batter, junior Stephanie Watts was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Orange. With just one out, L. Daniels smacked a grounder to left field, driving home S. Daniels and McMullen to secure the win.
“Each kid accepted their role and got the job done. Lisaira's hit showed what type of player she is. She always comes up big and plays her best when it's crucial,” Ross said.
After a scoreless first inning, senior outfielder Rachel Helman got the bats going for SU in the bottom of the second with a single up the middle. The Panther's defense retired the next two batters and Helman was left on base.
In the top of the third, Pittsburgh registered the first run of the contest as senior Ashley Amistade bunted junior Jessica Rhodunda across the plate.
In the bottom of the third, L. Daniels made her way to first base on an infield single and advanced to second on a steal. Junior Lacey Kohl sent L. Daniels to third on a sacrifice fly, but she was left stranded on third.
Syracuse's stingy defense held Pitt scoreless in the next four innings and the Panthers went three up-three down in its final three at bats.
In the bottom of the fifth, Watts beat out a throw to first base for an infield single. L. Daniels advanced Watts to second with a sacrifice hit, but Watts was left stranded.
Daniels led the Orange with two hits and a pair of RBI in four at bats. In the circle, Caira, the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, allowed just three hits and one run and fanned two batters.
“Getting this win was huge for us moving forward,” said Ross.
“Each day we come to the ball park, put our cleats on and do our job. If we keep that mentality, good things will happen.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior Lisaira Daniels hit a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Syracuse (42-11) to a 2-1 win against Pittsburgh (34-17) in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament. Syracuse will face DePaul in the semifinals on Friday (May 13) at 2:30 p.m.
The Orange came alive when it counted after being held scoreless through six innings.
“The last inning showed us just what our entire team is made of. That's a clutch situation”, said head coach Leigh Ross. “A lot of credit goes to Pitt's pitcher. She did a great job. Going into the last two innings, we tried to break things down and go one step at a time.”
With the Orange trailing, 1-0, heading in to the bottom of the seventh inning, junior pitcher Jenna Caira stepped to the plate. Caira cranked a line drive to left field for a single. Freshman Shirley Daniels entered the game as a pinch runner for Caira. After staying alive for more than 10 pitches, designated hitter, freshman Kealy McMullen hit an infield single.
With runners on first and second base, sophomore Veronica Grant knocked down a sacrifice bunt to move S. Daniels and McMullen into scoring position. SU's best batter, junior Stephanie Watts was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the Orange. With just one out, L. Daniels smacked a grounder to left field, driving home S. Daniels and McMullen to secure the win.
“Each kid accepted their role and got the job done. Lisaira's hit showed what type of player she is. She always comes up big and plays her best when it's crucial,” Ross said.
After a scoreless first inning, senior outfielder Rachel Helman got the bats going for SU in the bottom of the second with a single up the middle. The Panther's defense retired the next two batters and Helman was left on base.
In the top of the third, Pittsburgh registered the first run of the contest as senior Ashley Amistade bunted junior Jessica Rhodunda across the plate.
In the bottom of the third, L. Daniels made her way to first base on an infield single and advanced to second on a steal. Junior Lacey Kohl sent L. Daniels to third on a sacrifice fly, but she was left stranded on third.
Syracuse's stingy defense held Pitt scoreless in the next four innings and the Panthers went three up-three down in its final three at bats.
In the bottom of the fifth, Watts beat out a throw to first base for an infield single. L. Daniels advanced Watts to second with a sacrifice hit, but Watts was left stranded.
Daniels led the Orange with two hits and a pair of RBI in four at bats. In the circle, Caira, the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, allowed just three hits and one run and fanned two batters.
“Getting this win was huge for us moving forward,” said Ross.
“Each day we come to the ball park, put our cleats on and do our job. If we keep that mentality, good things will happen.”
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