'Cuse Defeats UC Davis, Nearly Upsets #13 UCLA

Saturday, March 5

Los Angeles, CA

1:30 PM

Syracuse University

8-8

UC Davis

8-11

UC Davis

Syracuse

3/5/2016 11:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Syracuse softball team defeated UC Davis 1-0 and nearly pulled off an upset against No. 13 UCLA, but fell short 3-2 on a walk-off run on Saturday at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament.

After four and a half innings of scoreless play, the Bruins (12-8) racked up two runs in the bottom of the fifth off of a double to right center field that sent runners at second and third home.

The Orange (8-9) fought back in the top of the sixth, making it a one-run game after Corinne Ozanne homered to center field with two outs on the board. In the top of the seventh, pinch hitter Andrea Bombace kicked things off with another solo home run to center field to knot the game up at two.

The Bruins, however, proceeded to squeak past the Orange in the bottom of the seventh, as a walk and a base hit set up two runners on base. With one out in the books, a double to left center sent the runner at second base home, sealing a 3-2 walk-off victory for UCLA.

In addition to the home runs by Ozanne and Bombace, sophomore Sammy Fernandez and freshmen Alicia Hansen and Hannah Dossett registered base hits. Fernandez started the game with a lead-off single to left center, marking the second game in a row she singled in the first at bat of the game. Ozanne's home run marked the 39th of her career, moving her up to second on the Syracuse all-time career home runs list.

Sophomore pitcher AnnaMarie Gatti recorded two strikeouts and allowed seven hits while walking three batters.

GAME 1
The Orange registered its second shutout victory of the weekend, after a run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to Maddi Doane put 'Cuse on the board.

Junior Alyssa Dewes started the sequence off with a base hit down the third base line. With two outs and Doane at the plate, Dewes charged towards second and successfully recorded her first stolen base of the season. Moments later, Doane sent one through the right side, setting up Dewes perfectly for an easy trip home to make it 1-0.

Still riding on two outs, the Orange proceeded to load up the bases off of a hit by Ozanne and O'Hara getting hit by a pitch, but a fly out to right field ended the game-winning inning for 'Cuse.

Pitcher Jocelyn Cater posted her second shutout victory of the season and of the weekend, registering eight strikeouts and one walk through a complete seven innings. The senior allowed just two Aggie hits on the day, one coming in the top of the third inning and another in the top of the fifth.

Doane and Dewes collected two hits each in the win, while Ozanne, sophomore Sammy Fernandez, and freshman Hannah Dossett tallied one hit apiece.

The Orange open ACC play next weekend, traveling to UNC for doubleheader action on Saturday, Mar. 5, and closing with a game on Sunday against the Tar Heels.

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