Syracuse split its games on Friday against UT Arlington and UMass in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the Tiger Classic.

The Orange (1-1) fell to UT Arlington (1-0), 1-0, in its season opener, despite accumulating nine hits compared to the Mavericks’ four. The sole run of the game came in the bottom half of the second inning, when Cy’Andria Newton doubled to left field, driving in Laura Curry, who was on second base after a walk and stolen base. SU pitcher AnnaMarie Gatti lasted five innings, recording five strikeouts and five walks.

In the top of the third, the Orange had runners on second and third with two outs, but Alicia Hansen popped out to right field. After two hitless innings in the fourth and fifth, Syracuse crafted a late comeback attempt, putting runners on first and second base with one out in each of the final two innings. The top of SU’s order could not convert in the seventh, as Sammy Fernandez grounded out and Gabby Teran flied out to end the game. The Orange left eight total runners on base.

Freshman pitcher Miranda Hearn made her collegiate debut in relief of Gatti. The Sugar Land, Texas native pitched the bottom sixth, striking out one and allowing zero hits.

Against UMass (0-1), Syracuse hopped out to an early lead after Neli Casares-Maher grounded out to second base with the bases loaded in the top of the first. Bryce Holmgren and Teran were both hit by pitches in the inning as well. SU built on its lead in the second when Hansen singled to right field, driving in Hannah Dossett.

Alexa Romero started on the mound for the Orange and allowed just two runners past first base. After a throwing error from Syracuse allowed Jena Cozza to reach third base with zero outs in the fourth inning, Romero shut down three straight batters, striking out two. The sophomore tallied 11 strikeouts and zero walks on the day.

In the sixth, the Orange produced another offensive surge. With two runners on base, Fernandez doubled to right field, driving in one. Two batters later, Holmgren hit a two-RBI single to give SU a 4-0 advantage. Romero held UMass to one hit over the final two innings.

Syracuse will resume play with two games tomorrow against Southern Mississippi and No. 8 LSU at 3:30 and 8:30 p.m., respectively.

Published on February 9, 2018 at 4:26 pm

Contact David: ddschnei@syr.edu