'Cuse Splits on Opening Day

Friday, February 12

Las Vegas, NV

4:30 PM

Syracuse University

1-0

Long Beach State

1-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Long Beach State	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
Syracuse	0	0	1	0	0	0	X	1	3	1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Syracuse	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Lamar	1	0	0	0	0	2	X	3	3	3

2/13/2016 2:12:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Syracuse softball team split its first two games on opening day on Friday at the Sportco Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Orange (1-1) defeated Long Beach State 1-0 before falling to Lamar 3-0 in back-to-back contests.

GAME 1
The one and only run of the game came off of a walk by Sydney O'Hara in the bottom of the third in a bases loaded situation, as it welcomed pinch runner Alyssa Dewes to home plate. A base hit by catcher Olivia Martinez got things started for the Orange in the third inning, as the redshirt sophomore tallied her first hit of her Syracuse career. After that, sophomore Rachel Burkhardt reached first base off of an error by the 49ers after an attempted sacrifice bunt, and a single down the right field line from sophomore Sammy Fernandez capped the loading of the bases before O'Hara's at bat.

The 49ers hinted at a comeback at the top of the seventh inning with bases loaded, but the Orange defense held its ground. Freshman Hannah Dossett came up big with a successful putout to home after a ball was hit to her down the third base line, potentially tying up the game. Long Beach State tried again at the next at bat, but it was no problem for Fernandez as the shortstop threw the runner out at first to seal an Orange victory.

Fernandez led the Orange in the opening game with two hits, while Martinez registered her first hit of her career. Sophomore pitcher AnnaMarie Gatti was credited with her second win of her career, striking out two batters and allowing six hits after pitching a full seven innings.

GAME 2
Lamar got on the board early after a wild pitch in the bottom of the first sent a runner at third to home plate. The top of the fifth inning looked promising for the Orange, as Rachel Burkhardt and freshman Alicia Hansen tallied base hits before Hannah Dossett reached first off of an error by the Cardinals shortstop. With bases loaded, pinch runner Aliyah Wade gave a shot at home plate, but came up short for the second out of the inning. A groundout to first right after ended the inning for the Orange, leaving the bases loaded.

The bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the final nail in the coffin, as a two-run homerun by Lamar's Sable Hankins put the Cardinals at a 3-0 advantage heading into the final inning. Three consecutive outs in a row for the Orange at the top of the seventh sealed the victory for the Cardinals.

Sammy Fernandez, Burkhardt, Hansen, and Dossett all recorded hits, including a double from Dossett in the top of the third. Senior Corinne Ozanne racked up a team-high five putouts, while Dossett added four. Sydney O'Hara tallied four strikeouts in the last four innings.

The Orange are back at it tomorrow, Feb. 13, taking on No. 9 Oklahoma at 6:45 p.m. ET and finishing with UNLV at 9 p.m. ET.