Orange Sweep Doubleheader Against Niagara

Wednesday, March 27

Syracuse, NY

4 pm

Syracuse University

11-18

Niagara

1-13

Niagara University

Syracuse

3/27/2019 10:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

Romero eclipses 500 career strikeouts

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The long awaited home opener for the Syracuse softball team did not disappoint as the Orange plated 19 runs in a pair of games against Niagara Wednesday evening. A 12-4 victory in game one gave Syracuse (12-18) its fourth run-rule win of the season before the Orange defeated Niagara (1-14) 7-5 in game two of the doubleheader.

Lailoni Mayfield led 'Cuse at the plate, going 5-of-6, for one of the best performances of her season. Mayfield scored three runs with one RBI and one walk. Alicia Hansen was one of seven Orange players to record a hit on the day, notching two of her own.

In game one, Alexa Romero (7-5) eclipsed the 500 career strikeout mark, following her 10K's in game one. The junior notched her second double-digit strikeout game of the season in just five innings pitched. She allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits with no walks in her eighth complete game of 2019. Romero also notched her first save of the season, striking out the final batter in game two with the bases loaded.

Sophie Dandola (5-6) earned the win in game two following 4.1 innings pitched. She allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with four strikeouts and four walks.

COACH DOEPKING'S THOUGHTS
"It's always great when you get the 'W'. I'm very happy all in all. It's been a game plan all season (to be aggressive). I don't think it's anything new, it's more them learning how to embrace the process that we've talked a lot about."

GAME 1
Niagara notched the first run of the day for an early 1-0 lead following two singles in the second inning, but the Purple Eagle's lead did not hold for long. Syracuse answered with four runs on four hits in the third inning, giving themselves a 4-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

After allowing two runs in the fourth, the Orange's bats came alive in the bottom of the frame. Gianna Carideo led off with a walk before a single by Mayfield and a Niagara error scored the pinch runner, Taylor Lane. A fielders' choice, walk and single were enough to plate two additional runs before a sac fly closed out the five-run inning.

Playing in her fifth game of the season, Carideo entered the day without a hit in 2019. She quickly changed that, hammering her first career triple down the right field line to lead off the fifth inning. Mayfield didn't leave her on third for long, hitting a single back out to right field, scoring Carideo. Two more hits in the inning set up a fielders' choice by Acevedo that allowed two additional runs to score for the walk-off, five-inning victory.

GAME 2
In game two, it was Syracuse who got on the board early, 1-0, with a bases loaded RBI-single by Toni Martin. Both offenses stayed competitive as at least one run scored in each of the subsequent four innings.

With the game tied 3-3 after the top half of the third inning, Syracuse loaded the bases with two outs. Bryce Holmgren, who holds the Syracuse career hit by pitch record, drew her seventh of the season to bring in a run for the go-ahead 4-3 lead. A pass ball two pitches later scored Jessica Skladal from third.

The Orange's final two runs of the day came in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded 2-RBI single by Gabby Teran.

After tacking on two runs in the fifth inning, Niagara threatened a comeback in the seventh. Down to its final out of the game, the Purple Eagles hit back-to-back singles before drawing a walk that loaded the bases. Romero entered the game, needing just four pitches to shut Niagara down and earn the third save of her career.

OF NOTE
Romero is the third Orange pitcher to reach 500 career strikeouts and the second to do so as a junior. Jenna Caira holds the school career record with 1,051 followed by Tara DiMaggio with 575. Romero now sits at 504 in her career. Additionally, it was the 15^th double-digit strikeout of Romero's career, which ties for second all-time at Syracuse with Erin Downey. Only Caira has more (23).

Hansen's two runs scored in game one moved her into sixth all-time with 119 in her career.

Syracuse is now 20-1 all-time against the Purple Eagles.

UP NEXT
The Orange continue their home stand as they welcome ACC opponent, Notre Dame, to Skytop for a three-game series this weekend. Game 1 kicks off Friday, March 29 at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.