‘Cuse Splits Day Two In Rosemont

Saturday, February 7

Rosemont, IL

12:30 PM EST

Syracuse University

1-2

Samford University

3-0

Samford

Syracuse

2/7/2015 9:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Both games came down to the final inning but ‘Cuse was edged in the first game and won its second

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Orange (2-2) found itself in two nail biters that came down to the final inning and was able to edge Central Michigan (2-0) after late inning heroics by Samford (4-0) defeated Syracuse in the first game. Jocelyn Cater bounced back from her loss Friday to pitch very well in both games.

Samford Slights Syracuse
The Bulldogs came out swinging, scoring a run in the first and later scored four in the third while holding Syracuse scoreless through the first three innings. However, down five early, the Orange went to Jocelyn Cater who was lights out for the next three innings, allowing Syracuse to make a comeback.

Danielle Chitkowski hit a two-out single to right field scoring Sammy Fernandez after Fernandez got on base with a leadoff walk. Cater held Central Michigan scoreless in the next inning, allowing Syracuse to tie the game with a four-run inning.

Mary Dombrowski led off with a single up the middle and Maddi Doane capitalized on the baserunner, scoring her on a double after Alyssa Dewes moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. Corinne Ozanne followed up with a double of her own to score Doane and O'Hara also double to score Kristina Kinsey and Fernandez, tying the game at five.

Both teams were silent in the sixth but Central Michigan was able to tag Cater for her lone run allowed by drawing a bases loaded walk that served as the dagger to defeat Syracuse, 6-5. Cater pitched well despite earning the loss. She allowed just one run and struck out nine batters in four innings of work.

Late Inning Heroics Defeat The Chippewas
After pitching well in the first game, Cater was given the nod in the second and shut down Central Michigan in six of the seven innings.

Syracuse was held scoreless until the third when Ozanne sent one into orbit, scoring Fernandez and giving the Orange a 2-0 lead. It wasn't until the sixth inning when Central Michigan did the same, tying the game at two with a two-run blast.

The Chippewas' pitcher couldn't seem to find the zone in the seventh, plunking Doane to put the leadoff runner on. Fernandez was able to get the bunt down on the ensuing at-bat but it was too hard at the third baseman, allowing her to throw out Doane at second. Ozanne drew the walk next, giving the Orange runners on first and second with one out in the top of the seventh.

Julie Wambold gave the ball a ride to right but it was a tough enough play where the fielder couldn't handle it, allowing Syracuse to score the go-ahead run so Cater could slam the door in the seventh, 3-2.