Orange Split Saturday at Houston Challenge

Saturday, February 22

Houston, TX

12:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM ET

Syracuse University

4-6

Louisiana Tech

2-10

Syracuse

Louisiana Tech

2/22/2020 8:37:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

HOUSTON, TEXAS – It was a win and a loss for Syracuse (4-7) in the second day of the Houston Challenge. The Orange defeated Louisiana Tech (2-10), 8-6, in the early contest and lost late in the second game, 6-4, to Princeton (1-0). Neli Casares-Maher brought the hot bat for 'Cuse, going 4-for-6 in the two games with three extra base hits and three runs batted-in.

The Orange improved their record against the Bulldogs to 2-0 in the first matchup between the programs since February 19, 2000. Syracuse is now 2-1 all-time versus the Tigers.

GAME 1 vs. LOUISIANA TECH (W, 8-6)
The Orange scored three runs in the second inning and five in the fifth on their way to victory over the Bulldogs. Kaia Oliver earned the first winning decision of her career, tossing six and a third innings, surrendering three earned runs and striking out four batters.

Alexis Kaiser broke open the scoring in the top of the second, driving in her sixth run of the season with a single to right field to bring in Casares-Maher after she stole second base. Mia Cunnings, who made her first start of her collegiate career against Louisiana Tech, drew a walk and Toni Martin reached on an error, loading the bases for Jamie Gregg. The Bulldogs committed a throwing error on the next play, allowing Gregg to reach and allowing Kaiser and Cunnings to score.

Syracuse led 3-0 until the top of the fifth, when Jude Padilla singled and another Bulldog throwing error brought home Casares-Maher and Rebecca Clyde. Later in the frame, Cunnings came to the dish with runners on first and second and hit a double down the left field line to bring in two more Orange and make the score 7-0. Martin recorded a base hit in the next at-bat to bring in Cunnings and give 'Cuse an eight-run advantage.

A walk for Louisiana Tech and an Orange error opened the door for the Bulldogs to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Tech pushed two runs across in the frame, one of which was unearned.

The Bulldogs would add two more unearned runs on passed balls, as well as two more earned runs, but were unable to complete the comeback. Alexa Romero came into the circle in the bottom of the seventh and struck out two batters to pick up her first save of the season.

GAME 2 vs. PRINCETON (L, 4-6)
Syracuse came out on the losing end in its second contest of the day against Princeton. Romero and Oliver each pitched for the Orange, each giving up two earned runs and three hits.

Each team tallied two runs in their halves of the first inning. For Syracuse, it was a two-run shot to center field from Casares-Maher and the Tigers scored two unearned runs after an Orange throwing error.

The teams traded runs in the third, fourth and fifth frames, starting with a double off the bat of Casares-Maher to put 'Cuse ahead, 3-2, in the third. A solo homer from Princeton sophomore Ali Blanchard evened the game at three in the bottom of the fourth. Gabby Teran took the lead back for the Orange with her second home-run of the season, a solo shot in the top of the fifth.

The Tigers tied the score at four on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded in the home half of the fifth inning and a two-run double from Madison Hamilton in the sixth clinched the triumph for her team.

UP NEXT
Syracuse concludes its time at the Houston Challenge with a rematch against #20 Texas Tech Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 CT. The Orange will look to avenge Friday's 4-3 defeat.

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