Orange Take Down Toledo, Liberty

Friday, February 20

Lynchburg, Va.

11 AM

Syracuse University

5-4

Toledo

1-8

Toledo

Syracuse

2/20/2026 7:03:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LYNCHBURG, VA.- The SU softball team (6-4) defeated Toledo (1-9) 5-3 and Liberty (3-9) 5-3. Kaimi Tulua's home run against Liberty sealed the second victory of the night, as Jadyn Burney stole two bases, scored four runs and tallied three hits on the first day of the Liberty Softball Classic.

GAME 1 VS. TOLEDO
In the bottom of the first inning, Jadyn Burney stepped up to the plate, drawing a walk. She would go on to steal second base and advance to home after Harmony Jackson singled to left field.

Toledo climbed up, scoring a run in the top of the third inning, but the Orange answered in the bottom of the fourth. Madison Knight recorded her third home run of the season, hitting the ball over the left field fence. Taylor Davison stepped up to the plate, sending the ball down the left field line to tally her first home run of the season and putting SU up 3-1.

The Rockets scored two runs to even the score, but Syracuse was quick to regain the lead once again. Burney reached first on a bunt to third base, then successfully stole second base. Jackson and Vanessa Flores drew walks at their at-bats to fill the bases. Davison stepped up to the plate, singling down the right side and sending Jackson and Burney home to score. The Orange went on to win 5-3 in the opening game of the Liberty Softball Classic.

GAME 2 VS. LIBERTY
At the top of the first inning, Burney singled to left field, recording the Orange's first hit of the night. Jackson reached first base after being hit by a pitch, but the two runners were left on base as 'Cuse was unable to score in the opening frame.

Erika Zamora singled to center field to start the third inning for Syracuse. Peyton Schemmer pinch ran for Zamora, advancing to second as Gabby Lantier was walked at the plate. Burney stepped in, placing a bunt to the pitcher to load the bases. Jackson singled down the first base line, allowing Schemmer to reach home plate and put SU on the board. Flores would go on to hit a sacrifice fly, sending Lantier across home plate to even the score. After Davison and Fox drew walks, Burney made her way around to collect a run for Syracuse, closing out the third inning with Syracuse leading 3-2.

At the top of the seventh inning, Burney reached second base after an overthrown pass by the Flames. Kaimi Tulua stepped up to the plate, sending the ball over the fence to add two runs to the board. The Orange closed out the game, defeating the Flames 5-3.

OF NOTE

Kaimi Tulua's 2-run home run against Liberty was her second home run of the season and third in her career.
Madison Knight recorded her third home run of the season and 17th in her career against Toledo.
Taylor Davison hit her first home run of the season against the Rockets, tallying the second home run in her career.
Jadyn Burney stole two bases on the day, both against Toledo.
Burney recorded four hits today, tallying one against Toledo and three against Liberty.
Julianna Verni pitched 6.2 innings (2.0 vs. Toledo, 4.2 vs. Liberty) today, throwing four strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Orange will face Toledo at 2:30 p.m. and Liberty at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 21 for the second day of the Liberty Softball Classic. The game against Liberty will be streamed on ESPN+.

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