Orange Take on Cavaliers in Road Conference Series

Syracuse at Virginia (Doubleheader)
Saturday, April 9, 2016 | 3 p.m. / 5 p.m.
The Park | Charlottesville, Va.
Live Stats (Game 1)
Live Stats (Game 2)
Audio (subscription required)

Syracuse at Virginia
Sunday, April 10, 2016 | 12 p.m.
The Park | Charlottesville, Va.
Live Stats
Audio (subscription required)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse softball team heads back on the road, taking on ACC foe Virginia in a three-game series this Saturday and Sunday in Charlottesville, Va. The Orange and the Cavaliers start things off with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3 p.m., before wrapping the weekend up with a single game on Sunday at noon.

PREVIEWING VIRGINIA (12-25, 2-7 ACC)
The Cavaliers post a 12-25 overall record and stand 2-7 in the ACC, picking up its first two conference wins two weekends ago at Pittsburgh.

This weekend's series will mark the third series between the two squads since the Orange joining the ACC, and will mark the 10th time overall the programs meet. Syracuse holds an 8-1 advantage over Virginia, with its only loss stemming from the first ever meeting back in 2011, when the Cavaliers edged the Orange 2-1 in Charlottesville. The Orange look to extend a winning streak within the series that continues from last year after a three-game sweep that capped 'Cuse's 2015 season.

Cavalier pitcher Erika Osherow ranks ninth in the ACC in batters struck out (91) and third in the conference in innings pitched (146.1).

WEEKEND RECAP
The Orange are coming off of a split doubleheader in ACC play against Georgia Tech this past weekend, outlasting the Yellow Jackets in a 13-inning first game 8-7, before falling 6-4 in an eight-inning second game.

Junior Sydney O'Hara proved to be the star of the afternoon, racking up three home runs (two in the first game) and a double. She drew a three-hit, six RBI effort in the first game and a two-hit, two RBI game in the second, including a three-run homer in the opening game. O'Hara reeled in eight of the Orange's 11 total RBIs on the day.

The 13-inning opening game was just one inning shy of matching the longest game in Syracuse history.

THE MIGHTY 'CUSE DEFENSE
The Syracuse pitching brigade posts a third-best in the ACC 2.42 earned run average, with junior Sydney O'Hara leading the pack sitting at the top of the conference standings with a 1.51 ERA. The squad has only allowed opponents 96 runs and 199 hits on the season, the third and fifth best marks in the ACC.

Syracuse claims the best fielding percentage in the ACC with a .972 average, which is also good for 26th in the nation. Opponents have been found guilty of stealing by the Orange eight times this season; only two other teams in the ACC tally more caught stealing by plays on the 2016 year. Syracuse also ranks fifth in the conference in double plays, averaging .39 per game. After 33 games, seven Orange still hold perfect fielding percentages, while no individual percentage dips below a .933.

The trio of Sammy Fernandez, Corinne Ozanne, and Alicia Hansen have been a part of 18 of the Orange's 27 double plays, with Fernandez leading the pack with seven double plays.

QUICK HITS
- The Orange have been victorious in eight of its last 13 contests, the best swing this season.
- Senior Corinne Ozanne leads the 2016 squad in home runs with seven, and is just three swings away from tying the career home runs record currently held by former Orange Jasmine Watson.
- She leads the team with 20 RBIs, with almost half of her hits coming when runners are on base.
- Junior Sydney O'Hara stands first in the ACC and 26th in the nation with a 1.51 ERA, currently holding opposing teams to an impressive .168 batting average when she is in the circle, the second-best mark in the ACC. Her average hits allowed per seven innings (4.03) is good for first in the conference and 11th in the nation.
- She also leads the ACC in three other categories: hits allowed (24), runs allowed (10), and earned runs allowed (9).
- After her three-run home run performance in the doubleheader against Georgia Tech, the Cicero, N.Y. native is tied for second on the team in homers (5).

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns home for a nonconference doubleheader against Canisius on Wednesday, Apr. 13. The first game is set for 3 p.m. at Skytop Softball Stadium.

For all of the latest information on Syracuse softball, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Softball), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseSB), and Instagram (@cusepics & @cusesb).

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Orange Take on Cavaliers in Road Conference Series

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