Walk It Off: Hansen Single Lifts Orange Past Hokies

Saturday, April 29

1 PM

Syracuse University

29-18, 9-10

Virginia Tech

19-33, 5-18

Virginia Tech

Syracuse

Walk It Off: Hansen Single Lifts Orange Past Hokies

4/29/2017 3:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Second-straight walk-off for ‘Cuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Alicia Hansen singled to left center with two outs on the board to bring Sammy Fernandez home in the bottom of the seventh, as Syracuse (29-18, 9-10 ACC) defeated Virginia Tech (19-33, 5-18 ACC) 2-1 in a walk-off for the second time in two games to seal the series victory ahead of tomorrow's series finale.

Hansen was 2-for-4 on the day, while Fernandez finished 2-for-4 as well with the game-winning run. Fernandez improved her single-season program record hit count to 70 on the year.

The game was locked up, 1-1, in the bottom of the seventh with two outs against Syracuse. Looking like extra innings were in sight, Fernandez changed the pace and hit an infield single to reach base, putting one runner on for the Orange. Up next was Hansen, who followed with a single to left-center field which was bobbled by the Hokies' outfielder, allowing Fernandez to use her speed and score at home plate.

Syracuse took the lead early with an RBI single from Faith Cain, who drove in Sydney O'Hara after reaching base on her 40th walk of the season. From there, the Orange remained scoreless until the seventh, though Cain, Fernandez, and Hansen would each have multiple hits on the day.

Cain finished the outing with a 2-for-3 performance at home plate and the only Orange RBI of the day. O'Hara was walked twice in the Saturday afternoon game, bringing her season total and the Orange single-season program record to 41.

AnnaMarie Gatti started the game for the Orange, throwing 4.2 innings while only allowing three hits, one walk, and one run with solid fielding behind her. Gatti added a pair of strikeouts to her resume. Alexa Romero went in to relieve her, and remained untouched while dishing out a strikeout in one inning of play.

O'Hara (9-3) closed out the game for the Orange on the mound, surrendering one hit, while striking out three in 1.1 innings of work, holding the Hokies to a single run.

The Orange and Virginia Tech return to action at Skytop Softball Stadium tomorrow at 12 p.m. for the series finale. Tomorrow's game is Senior Day and will recognize the pair of Alyssa Dewes and Sydney O'Hara in a pregame ceremony.