Softball Set for OSU/Tulsa Invitational

STILLWATER, OKLA. – The Syracuse University softball team heads south for the Oklahoma State/Tulsa Invitational, March 1-2, where they will challenge Seattle, No. 23/18 Oklahoma State, No. 25/RV and Tulsa.

Due to forecasted weather, the adjusted schedule has the Orange kicking off action Friday at 10:30 a.m. (CT) against Seattle before a 3:30 p.m. (CT) matchup against Oklahoma State. 'Cuse will then take on Tulsa at 11:30 a.m. (CT) before concluding the weekend against Illinois at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

Syracuse is coming off a 2-3 performance at the Bubly Invitational, which included a pair of losses to No. 3 Florida who remains unbeaten. Sophie Dandola pitched the first shutout of the season for the Orange in a five-inning, 8-0 victory over Florida A&M. Dandola pitched her first complete game of the season allowing two hits and no walks, while setting a season-high seven strikeouts.

Seattle arrives in Stillwater with a 9-6 record after a 3-2 performance at the Aggie Invitational. Where they picked up wins over UTEP, Idaho State and Saint Mary's. Redshirt sophomore Carley Nance and senior Andie Larkins have proven to be a strong 1-2 punch in the circle for the Redhawks as both hold a 1.81 earned run average and have combined for 49 strikeouts this season.

Oklahoma State is off to a 10-5 start to its season – the program's best since posting the same 15-game record in 2014. Seven of the Cowgirls victories have come against teams ranked in the Top-25 or receiving votes. Last weekend at the Mary Nutter Classic, Oklahoma State took wins over then-No.15 Arizona State and RV North Carolina.

Illinois is off to a fast start this season with a 10-3 record following a 3-1 execution at the Mardi Gras Classic. The highlight of the weekend came from sophomore Bella Loya who earned Big 10 Player of the Week honors following a 10-of-15 weekend at the plate that included three home runs, two doubles, eight RBI and four runs scored.

Tulsa is coming off a 3-2 performance at the Texas Invitational where they defeated Mississippi and Sam Houston State while losing a pair of games to No. 11 Texas. Junior infielder Alexis Perry hit two doubles and drove in three runs in the five games. Freshman Samantha Pochop recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts to help Tulsa secure the win against Sam Houston State. After last weekend's outing, the Hurricanes improved to 10-5 this season.

Following the OSU/Tulsa Invitational, Syracuse is set to travel to Colorado for the Colorado State Classic where they will face Wagner, Dayton and Colorado State in a three-day tournament, March 8-10.

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Players Mentioned

Sophie Dandola

Syracuse University Athletics