’Cuse Drops Doubleheader to No. 16 Duke

Friday, March 14

Durham, N.C.

4 PM

Syracuse University

16-7, 0

Duke

18-8, 0

Syracuse

Duke

3/14/2025 9:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

DURHAM, N.C. - The Syracuse softball team (16-8, 0-5 ACC) came up just short in a nine-inning series opener against No. 16 Duke (20-8, 4-1 ACC), falling 3-1, before dropping the nightcap, 6-0. Game one featured a pitchers' duel between Madison Knight and Duke's Dani Drogemuller, with both teams managing just one run through eight innings before a two-run homer in the ninth sealed the win for the Blue Devils. In game two, Duke used three home runs to secure its second win of the day over the Orange.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE:
Duke struck first with an RBI groundout in the first inning, but the Orange tied it in the third. Madison Knight led off with a walk and later scored on an Angie Ramos sacrifice fly.

Both teams had scoring chances in the following innings, but neither could break the tie, sending the game to extra innings.

After two and a half scoreless extra innings, the Blue Devils ended the game with a two-run homer over the left-field fence.

Despite the loss, Madison Knight delivered a strong performance, pitching eight innings while allowing three runs on three hits and striking out two. She kept Duke's offense in check for the most part, stranding seven runners on base.

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO:
The Blue Devils built a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning with a pair of two-run home runs, then added another run in the fifth on a first-and-third play, scoring on a fielding error by Angie Ramos at second base. Duke capped off the scoring in the sixth with a solo home run, securing the 6-0 win.

Julianna Verni got the start on the mound, pitching five innings and giving up five runs on six hits, but striking out four.

OF NOTE:

The Orange secured seven hits on the day, one apiece from Ramos, Taylor Posner, Gabby Lantier, Madelyn Lopez, Kelly Breen, Laila Morales-Alves, and Tessa Galipeau.
Game one was the first extra innings game for the Orange since the 2024 campaign, when they fell in eight innings to Virginia Tech on Apr. 27, 2024.
Kayla Sigala got the first start of her collegiate career at the DP spot in game two.
The pair of losses move Syracuse to 2-13 all-time in the series against the Blue Devils.

UP NEXT:
The Orange wraps up its series at Duke tomorrow with its first nationally televised game of the season. First pitch for game three is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network.

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