Softball Set For Trip To North Carolina

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse softball continues its road trip, heading to Chapel Hill for a three-game series against North Carolina. The weekend series is pivotal, as the Orange are 3.5 games back of the Tar Heels in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.

The series starts with a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 15 at Anderson Softball Stadium. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11 a.m., while game two is slated for a 2 p.m. start. The series concludes on Sunday, Apr. 16 at 2 p.m. The doubleheader will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra and Sunday's series finale will be televised nationally on ACC Network.

ORANGE UPDATE:

Syracuse split a midweek doubleheader at UAlbany on Wednesday.
In game one, a complete game shutout from Great Danes' pitcher Wendi Hammond lifted the hosts past the Orange, 5-0.
Trailing by three runs in the sixth inning, Syracuse scored four unanswered runs to take game two of the series in extra innings, 5-4.
Designated player Geana Torres' first home run since 2021 forced extra innings in game two.
Reigning ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week Madison Knight tied her career high in strikeouts with seven in her start in game one against UAlbany.
Knight is the first Orange to earn ACC weekly recognition since Alexa Romero in 2018. Knight pitched the 11^th no-hitter in program history against NC State in a 8-0 run-rule victory.
In her last three starts, Knight has stuck out 21 hitters over 15.2 innings.
Freshman outfielder Madelyn Lopez is excelling in her first year under the direction of head coach Shannon Doepking.
The Montgomery, Texas native leads the team in batting average (.361), slugging percentage (.514) and on-base percentage (.442).
The Orange are the youngest team in the conference, as the 10 freshmen are the most on a roster in the ACC.
Syracuse is one of the stronger defensive teams in the ACC, ranking sixth in fielding percentage (.966) and fourth in fewest errors committed (27).

SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS:

North Carolina is 17-24 on the season, sitting in eighth place in the ACC standings with a 6-8 record in conference play.
In their last series, the Tar Heels took both games against Pittsburgh, outscoring the Panthers 13-6 across both games.
After missing a majority of the 2022 season due to injury, redshirt senior infielder Abby Settlemyre is orchestrating a career season. The Hickory, N.C. native leads the team in RBIs (27), home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.640).
In the circle, sophomore Lilli Backes leads the Tar Heels with 124.2 innings pitched, 89 strikeouts and nine complete games.
Head coach Donna J. Papa leads the Tar Heels in her 36^th season as head coach. The NFCA Hall of Famer has a 1,319-764-5 career record.

THE SERIES:

The Orange and Tar Heels have met 20 times on the softball diamond, with the all-time series tied at 10.
In the last time out, Syracuse swept North Carolina at Skytop Softball Field to secure a spot in the 2022 ACC Tournament.
In the three-game set, Syracuse outscored North Carolina, 18-4

UP NEXT:

Syracuse remain on the road next week, returning to central New York for a midweek doubleheader against Binghamton on Wednesday, Apr. 19.

For complete and comprehensive coverage of Syracuse softball, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse University Softball), Twitter and Instagram (@CuseSB).

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Players Mentioned

Madison Knight

Madelyn Lopez

Syracuse University Athletics

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Madison Knight

Madelyn Lopez

Softball Set For Trip To North Carolina

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