Syracuse's Rally Falls Short Against Purdue

Friday, February 17

Raleigh, N.C.

3 PM

Syracuse University

2-2

Purdue

3-2

Purdue

Syracuse

2/17/2023 8:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – A late rally from Syracuse softball fell short against Purdue, as the Boilermakers won the ACC/Big Ten Challenge opener, 12-8.

The Orange trailed, 9-0, heading to their half of the fifth inning. 'Cuse shrunk the Boilermaker lead with six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Three Purdue runs in the top of the seventh would decide game, giving the Boilermakers a cushion.

Lindsey Hendrix started in the circle for Syracuse, as Madison Knight and Kaia Oliver also saw action in the game.

Rebecca Clyde, Kelly Breen and Knight homered for the Orange, all their first home runs of the 2023 campaign. Center fielder Angel Jasso logged her second multi-hit performance in four games.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Purdue's bats got off to a quick start in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge opener. After Boilermaker designated player Alex Echazarreta reached first on an error, sophomore infielder Jade Moy drove a ball into left field for a single. Purdue loaded the bases in the following at-bat, scoring a run on a single from Tyrina Jones. A great throw from Angie Ramos caught the second Boilermaker runner, leaving the score at 1-0 to end the first.

Back-to-back doubles in the top of the second saw Purdue add to its advantage, 3-0. Knight replaced Hendrix with two outs in the top of the second.

Knight held the Boilermakers scoreless in the third inning, but Purdue's bats continued to produce in the following inning. After two Boilermakers reached base safely, Moy drove in a run, extending their advantage, 4-0. With two runners on, Jones hit a home run, pushing the lead to seven, 7-0.

Purdue added to its lead in the fifth, as the scoring started with a home run from Jordyn Ramos. The Boilermakers added a second run with a sacrifice flyball from Alivia Meeks, 9-0.

The Syracuse offense exploded in the bottom of the fifth inning. A lead off walk from pinch hitter Geana Torres set the table for Clyde's two-run home run, giving the Orange their first runs of the game, 9-2. Consecutive doubles from Ryan Starr and Taylor Posner cut into Purdue's lead, 9-3. With Posner on second, Jasso singled to right field, bringing Posner home, 9-4. With two outs, Breen smacked a ball past the right field wall, pulling Syracuse within three runs of Purdue, 9-6.

After both pitchers logged scoreless sixth innings, Purdue found insurance runs in its half of the seventh. A single from Jones and a double from Becca Edwards drew in three runs, 12-6.

Syracuse did not go down quietly, as Knight drove a ball past the centerfield wall for the first home run of her career, 12-8.

The Orange finished with eight runs, 11 hits and one error.

OF NOTE:

The 11 hits tie a season-high for the Orange
Breen hit her first home run of the season and the eighth of her career.
Knight hit her first home run of her career.
Jasso logged her second multi-hit game this season.

UP NEXT:

The ACC/Big Ten Challenge continues Saturday, Feb. 18 with a doubleheader. First up is a 10 a.m. matchup against Iowa, followed by a rematch against Purdue at 12:30 p.m.

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