Orange Offense Lifts Syracuse Past Virginia in ACC First Round

Wednesday, May 10

South Bend, IN.

1 PM

Syracuse University

Virginia

Syracuse

Virginia

Orange Offense Lifts Syracuse Past Virginia in ACC First Round

5/10/2023 5:11:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Highlights Alves Interview

SOUTH BEND, IN. - A stellar hitting display lifted Syracuse softball past Virginia, 8-2, in the first round of the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, as the Orange advance to the ACC Quarterfinals for a second time in program history. The eight runs are the most in an ACC Tournament game in program history.

Laila Alves, Angel Jasso and Madison Knight combined for seven hits and five runs batted in, as Jasso logged her third consecutive multi-hit game with three hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

In its half of the first, Virginia (30-22, 8-16 ACC) scored the opening run. The Cavaliers started the frame with back-to-back singles from Kelly Ayer and Jade Hylton, moving the runners to second and third base with a sacrifice bunt Katie Goldberg. A sacrifice fly from Tori Gilbert recorded the opening run of the contest, 1-0.

The Cavaliers doubled their lead in the third inning. Singles from Lauren VanAssche and Hylton set the table for an RBI-groundout from Goldberg, 2-0.

The Orange (24-25-1, 7-15-1) offense came alive in the fourth inning. With one out, Alves knocked a single to shallow right field, putting a runner on for Knight. The Baltimore, Maryland native crushed the first pitch of the at-bat to deep left field for a game-tying two-run home run, 2-2.

Syracuse pulled ahead in the following inning. Base hits from Alves and Jasso put runners in scoring position for Knight with one out. A fielding error from the Cavaliers allowed Jasso to score the go-ahead and winning run, 3-2.

An outstanding defensive play maintained the Orange advantage heading to the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Knight forced a double-play, ending the fifth inning and Virginia's scoring opportunity.

'Cuse extended its advantage in the sixth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. Tessa Galipeau opened the inning with a four-pitch walk, followed by a ground ball single from Jasso down the left field line. The Orange loaded the bases after Kelly Breen was hit by a pitch. With the count full, Alves laced a single into right field, bringing home two runs, 5-2. Back-to-back walks from Taylor Posner and Rebecca Clyde brought in the third run of the frame, 6-2.

In the seventh inning, Syracuse put the game out of reach, scoring the final two runs of the game. Madelyn Lopez started the seventh with a perfectly placed bunt for a single, as Jasso sliced her third single of the game. After Breen advanced Lopez and Jasso into scoring position with a flyout, back-to-back fielding errors from the Cavaliers brought home the final two runs of the game, 8-2.

The Orange scored eight runs on 10 hits, both new program highs in the ACC Tournament. The six-run winning margin is Syracuse's largest margin of victory in the ACC Tournament. Knight got the start in the circle, tossing the eighth complete game of her career while holding the Cavaliers to two runs on five hits with four strikeouts.

OF NOTE:

The eight runs and 10 hits are both single-game program records in the ACC Tournament.
Syracuse advances to the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals for the second time in school history.
Jasso has recorded multiple-hits in three straight games, batting .667 over 12 at-bats in that stretch.
Knight has tossed eight complete games this season.

UP NEXT:

Syracuse gears up for a matchup against top-seed Florida State in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals at 11 a.m. at Melissa Cook Softball Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Orange fans can catch the contest live on ACC Network.

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