Career-Day for Romero leads ‘Cuse to Doubleheader Sweep

Friday, April 14

Pittsburgh, PA

3 PM

Syracuse University

22-15, 4-9

Pittsburgh

21-17, 4-12

Syracuse

Pitt

Career-Day for Romero leads ‘Cuse to Doubleheader Sweep

4/14/2017 9:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Hansen 7-of-9, Cain with five RBI

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Freshman pitcher Alexa Romero (9-6) threw a total of 15 strikeouts, including a career-high 12 in game one of the doubleheader at Vartabedian Field, as Syracuse (23-15, 5-9 ACC) swept Pittsburgh (21-18, 4-13 ACC), 8-0 and 8-1, for the series win on Friday afternoon. The Orange and the Panthers meet tomorrow for a Noon game with the series sweep on the line for SU.

Romero earned the save in game two of the twinbill matchup, her first of the season, as she tossed three strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Senior Sydney O'Hara (7-3) was awarded the game-two win, as she dished out six strikeouts in 2.1 innings.

Sophomore Alicia Hansen powered the Orange from home plate, as the second baseman was 7-of-9 on the day with two runs, an RBI and a walk.

Faith Cain tallied her fourth home run of the season, as she drove in five RBI on the day to lead 'Cuse in the category. Cain was 3-of-7 and hit a 3 RBI homer and two singles over the doubleheader.

Junior Sammy Fernandez was 4-of-10, while O'Hara was 2-of-3 with a game-high four walks in the first outing.

Game One
The Orange took an early lead in the first inning, as Cain hit an RBI single to the back left wall to put 'Cuse on the board. Sophomore Hannah Dossett followed it with a two-out 3 RBI double down the left line to put Syracuse up, 4-0, in the first frame.

Sophomore Bryce Holmgren walked with bases loaded for an RBI and the fifth run of the game in the second inning to push the lead, 5-0.

Cain came through with a second RBI single of the day in the fifth inning, before junior Rachel Burkhardt pinch hit and earned the RBI walk after being hit at home plate.

Syracuse added an eighth run in the top of the sixth inning, as Fernandez reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Burkhardt to come home for the score. The 'Cuse defense shut down the Panthers in the bottom of the frame to garner the 8-0 shutout in six innings.

Game Two
O'Hara started the 'Cuse scoring in game two with an RBI double to the back wall to bring Hansen through from first base for the score. Pitt matched it with a walk in a bases-loaded situation to tie the score, 1-1, in the bottom of the second frame.

It wasn't until the top of the fourth inning that the Orange struck again, as Hansen tacked on an RBI single to take the lead, 2-1. Jessica Heese followed it up in the top of the fifth, as the junior checked in to pinch hit and slammed a two-out 3 RBI home run past the left field wall. The homer gave Syracuse a 5-1 lead and was the first for Heese in an Orange uniform.

Cain sealed the victory in the top of the sixth with a 3 RBI home run past the center field wall to give Syracuse the 8-1 final victory and the doubleheader sweep.

The Orange battle for the series sweep over the Panthers at Noon tomorrow at Vartabedian Field. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra and live stats will be available.