Mayfield's Grand Slam Helps 'Cuse to Series Victory

Saturday, March 30

Syracuse, NY

1 pm

Syracuse University

13-19, 0

Notre Dame

20-11, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Notre Dame	0	1	0	3	2	2	0	8	9	0
Syracuse	3	0	1	0	2	0	0	6	7	1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Notre Dame	0	1	3	1	0	0	1	6	10	0
Syracuse	5	0	3	0	0	0	X	8	10	0

Mayfield's Grand Slam Helps 'Cuse to Series Victory

3/30/2019 8:54:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A grand slam by Lailoni Mayfield helped lead Syracuse (14-19, 4-5 ACC) to its first Atlantic Coast Conference series win Saturday evening against Notre Dame (20-12, 4-5 ACC). The Fighting Irish took the first game of Saturday's double header, 6-8, before 'Cuse stormed back for an 8-6 victory in the deciding final game of the series.

Mayfield's grand slam, which was the first home run of her career, was part of a 2-for-5 day. The junior recorded five RBIs, two runs scored and three walks in the pair of Saturday games. Alicia Hansen backed her up with a 3-for-6 day that included three runs scored.

Alexa Romero continued to show her dominance in the circle for the Orange, pitching nine innings between the two games for the Orange. Romero (9-5) allowed a combined six runs on 10 hits with seven strikeouts.

COACH DOEPKING'S THOUGHTS
"It's not even really about us beating Notre Dame. It's really more about us as a team starting to find who we are. I think taking as many hits as we took early on, it's hard to show them how good we really could be. I think the sky's the limit for what this team can do."

GAME 1
After dominating the series opener on Friday, Syracuse struck early in game two with three runs in the top of the first inning. A triple to right field by Toni Martin scored Hansen and Gabby Teran, before a sac fly by Mayfield brought Martin home for the 3-0 lead.

Despite a solo home run for the Irish in the second, Notre Dame only had two hits through the first three innings of the game. After Syracuse added a run in the bottom of the third, the Fighting Irish took advantage of an Orange pitching change with seven runs across the next three innings.

Notre Dame drew back-to-back walks to lead off the fourth inning. Abby Sweet hit into a fielders' choice, but all runners remained safe on a 'Cuse fielding error, allowing the Irish to load the bases. A single, wild pitch and ground out was what Notre Dame needed to plate three runs and tie the game, 4-4.

Both sides recorded two runs in the fifth, keeping the game tied, but it was Notre Dame who would have the final answer with a two-run home run by Katie Marino in the sixth.

GAME 2
With the series on the line, the Orange came out quick, loading the bases with two walks and a bunt single from Hansen in the first inning. Mayfield's first home run of her career came at a big time, launching a grand slam over the center field wall. Alex Acevedo and Alexis Kaiser kept it moving for 'Cuse with two consecutive singles, forcing a Notre Dame pitching change. Gianna Carideo knocked in her first RBI of the season with the fifth hit of the inning, scoring Acevedo for the 5-0 lead.

The Irish got one back in the top of the second with a solo home run before pulling within one, 5-4, in the top of the third with two RBI-doubles.

Another big inning for the Orange came in the third with three runs scored on three hits. Kaiser and Carideo both recorded their second hit of the game, before a walk to Jessica Skladal loaded the bases once again. Hansen cleared the bags with one swing on a three-RBI double for the 8-4 lead.

After cutting the Orange's lead to three, 8-5, in the fourth inning, the Fighting Irish threatened deep into the seventh. With Romero looking for the game's final three outs, Notre Dame sent its second solo home run over the center field wall. Down to its last batter three different times, the Irish recorded two late singles before a pop up to second base ended the game.

OF NOTE

Mayfield is the first 'Cuse player to hit a grand slam since April 23, 2016, making her the only current Orange to do so. The first-inning grand slam was also the first home run of her career.
In the last five games, Mayfield is batting a team-best 9-of-13 (.692) with five runs scored and seven RBIs.
The series win is the first for Syracuse over Notre Dame since 2016 and the third all-time.
Martin extended her on-base streak to eight straight games.
Hansen's three runs scored moved her to 124 in her career, third all-time at Syracuse.

UP NEXT
Syracuse returns to the road for a midweek double header against Canisius on April 3 with a 4 p.m. start time. The Orange will then travel to NC State to resume ACC play, April 5-7. The three-game conference series will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.