SU Sweeps Villanova in Doubleheader

Wednesday, April 17

Syracuse, N.Y.

2 p.m

Syracuse University

15-22, 0

Villanova

15-21, 0

Villanova

Syracuse

Junior Jasmine Watson cranked a homer in the first inning of game one to give SU a 1-0 lead

4/17/2013 7:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

VIDEO: Coach Ross Interview | Watson & Kuwik Interviews
GAME 1 BOXSCORE | GAME 2 BOXSCORE| Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse softball team (16-22, 4-7) swept both games of a doubleheader with Villanova on Wednesday afternoon at the SU Softball Stadium. The Orange secured victories in both games, posting close one-run wins in each contest.

GAME 1 – Syracuse 1, Villanova 0

Junior Jasmine Watson's solo home run to centerfield in the bottom of the first inning led Syracuse to a 1-0 victory in the first game of the afternoon.

Senior Stacy Kuwik earned the shut out win for the Orange, allowing just five hits, while striking out five Wildcat batters.

Kuwik and the Syracuse defense held Villanova to just one hit in the top of the first before Watson crushed her ninth homer of the season to put SU on top, 1-0. From there, the Orange held on to its lead as the Wildcats only came close to knotting the game once.

Villanova attempted to make a play in the top of the fourth with runners on first and third, as Sierra McConnell sent a hit to left. Senior Morgan Nandin quickly fielded the ball and whipped it over to senior Ashley Dimon to force the third out ending the Wildcat threat.

Freshmen Corinne Ozanne and Danielle Chitkowski both went 1-for-1 in game one, while Watson went 1-for-3 with the homer and one RBI.

GAME 2 – Syracuse 3, Villanova 2

Kuwik opened game two forcing three consecutive grounders, taking out the first three Wildcat batters in order. Senior Veronica Grant then stepped up to the plate and drove in junior Shirley Daniels on a double through the gap in left field to give the Orange a 1-0 lead.

Still leading by one, Syracuse loaded the bases with one out in the second inning, helped out by two consecutive singles from Chitkowski and Dimon. The Orange couldn't capitalize on the opportunity though, as Chitkowski was tagged out at home attempting to come home on a single from Daniels.

The Wildcats took over the lead in the top of the fifth as Ali Lowe drove in runners on second and third with a single up the middle to make it 2-1. SU didn't give up though, as sophomore Mary Dombrowski answered back with an RBI single to right field in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.

The Orange defense remained solid in the sixth inning, even after three Wildcats hits and a pair of wild pitches loaded the bases twice. With the game tied at 2-2, Ozanne singled to left center and both Nandin and Dombrowski drew back-to-back walks to put a runner on all the bases. Chitkowski stepped up to the plate and drew another walk, scoring Ozanne to end the game and give the Orange a 3-2 victory.

Daniels led SU batters in game two, going 3-for-3 with one run, while Ozanne finished the game 1-for-2 two one run.

Kuwik earned her second straight win of the day after pitching her second complete games, allowing just three runs in seven innings, while striking out five.