Orange Lose to #19 Virginia Tech in Series Finale

Sunday, May 2

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

Virginia Tech

Orange Lose to #19 Virginia Tech in Series Finale

5/2/2021 3:49:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Syracuse lost, 8-1, to No. 19 Virginia Tech on Sunday afternoon in the series finale of a four-game Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) series. The Orange (19-20, 11-17 ACC) recorded five hits, a team-best for the series, which Virginia Tech swept.

Virginia Tech (32-12 overall, 23-11 ACC) got on the board early, scoring two runs off two hits in the first inning, and a two RBI home run from Darby Trull gave the Hokies a 4-0 advantage in the fourth.

Syracuse had an opportunity to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth inning. A leadoff single from Neli Casares-Maher, a hit by pitch, and an intentional walk to Geana Torres loaded the bases with two outs. The Orange left the runners stranded, unable to capitalize when VT's ace Keely Rochard struck out Rebecca Clyde to end the inning.

Alexa Romero (7-8) started the game in the circle, but after giving up a second home run to lead off the fifth inning that resulted in a 5-0 deficit, Syracuse went to the bullpen for freshman Lindsey Hendrix.

Virginia Tech tacked on two more runs off Hendrix in her second inning of work for a 7-0 advantage.

Syracuse had its lone run of the game in the sixth inning when Casares-Maher tripled to right field and scored on a single by Gabby Teran, to put 'Cuse on the board trailing 7-1.

Kaia Oliver closed the game when she took the ball at the top of the seventh. She gave up one run in her lone inning of work, which extended VT's lead to 8-1.

Teran, Casares-Maher, Calista Almer and Lailoni Mayfield recorded hits in the loss. Casares-Maher batted .400 (4-for-10) through the four-game series to lead Syracuse offensively.

The Orange host the No. 13 Clemson Tigers for its final ACC series of the regular season. The series opener is slated for Friday, May 7 at 4 p.m. at Skytop Softball Stadium