Orange Hit Three Home Runs in Saturday Victory

Saturday, April 20

Pittsburgh, Pa.

3 PM

Syracuse University

21-19, 5-12

Pittsburgh

14-29, 5-15

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

4/20/2024 7:07:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, PA. – Syracuse recorded a season-best 16 hits in the 12-3 victory Saturday afternoon against Pittsburgh at Vartabedian Field.

The Orange hit three home runs in the win, highlighted by sophomore Vanessa Flores' first career long ball.

Senior Lindsey Hendrix improved to 9-3 on the season, tossing her fifth complete game of the campaign.

Syracuse improves to 21-19 overall and 5-12 in Atlantic Coast Conference play while Pittsburgh sits at 14-29 and 5-15 in league action.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST PITT:
Syracuse's offense came out of the gates swinging as the visitors jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first. With runners on the corners and two outs, junior Taylor Posner faked an attempt to steal second, putting herself in a rundown to score Jasso. Later in the at bat, Posner scored on Flores' long ball over the right-center wall.

VANESSA FLORES FIRST CAREER HOMER! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/5cDFzb6Z5c
— Syracuse Softball (@CuseSB) April 20, 2024

The Orange kept their foot on the gas, putting up a five-spot in the second that saw 10 batters come to the plate. Freshman Makenzie Foster led off the frame with a free pass that chased Pitt starter Olivia Stefanoni. Scoring on Knight's single, Jasso extended the lead to five with a single to right. Following a junior Kelly Breen sacrifice fly, junior Laila Morales-Alves connected on the 0-2 offering with the bases loaded, capping off the frame with a two-run single.

Knight made it a 9-0 contest in the third, launching Syracuse's second homer of the game.

The Tortured Pitchers Department. 🍊

📺: ACCNX pic.twitter.com/hZ3ujVA8DS
— Syracuse Softball (@CuseSB) April 20, 2024

Pittsburgh looked to mount a comeback in the home half of the frame, scoring three runs, highlighted by Cami Compson's two-run homer.

Holding a 9-3 lead, Syracuse tacked on an insurance run in the sixth on Flores' RBI single before graduate student Rebecca Clyde launched a two-run shot in the seventh to give the Orange an even dozen.

Hendrix threw all seven innings in the win, the third complete game victory against the Panthers in her career.

OF NOTE:

Syracuse is 29-14 against Pitt. The 43 contests are tied with Notre Dame for the most against an opponent in program history.
The team's 16 hits were the most in an ACC game since April 16, 2014, when the Orange slugged 18 knocks against Boston College.
Flores recorded her first career home run, joining Foster and sophomore Peyton Schemmer to achieve the feat in 2024.
Jasso's 18th multi-hit games this season are tied with Alicia Hansen (2019) for the second-most by a senior in program history.
Jasso also passed Cassie Morales (2003-06) for ninth all-time in career hits.
Posner tied her career-high with three runs scored and recorded her first career game with three hits and three runs scored.
Posner has scored 13 runs across 17 conference games, including four against the Panthers.
All of Syracuse's starters recorded a hit in the win while six players had multi-hit performances.

UP NEXT:
Syracuse continues its series in Pittsburgh on Saturday with a 3 p.m. first pitch at Vartabedian Field. The game will broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

For complete coverage of Syracuse softball, follow us on Facebook (/cusesb), Twitter (@CuseSB) and Instagram (@cusesb).