Softball Heads to Georgia for Columbus Classic

The Columbus Classic Details: Friday, Feb. 14 – Sunday, Feb. 16; Columbus, Ga.; South Commons Softball Complex
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COLUMBUS, Ga. – Syracuse softball (5-0) continues its 2025 season at The Columbus Classic, hosted by Army, at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga. The Orange will play five games against LIU, Tennessee Tech, and the host Black Knights.

Play begins on Friday, Feb. 14, with a 3 p.m. matchup against LIU, followed by a 5 p.m. contest against Tennessee Tech. The Orange will face both opponents again on Saturday, starting with the Golden Eagles before taking on the Sharks. Game times for Saturday remain the same as Friday. Syracuse will wrap up the weekend with a Sunday morning game against Army, with first pitch set for 10 a.m.

Fans can follow along with the Orange through South Commons Complex's free streaming service, with all five games available for viewing. Live stats will also be accessible throughout the weekend. Links to both are above.

ORANGE UPDATE:
The Orange enter The Columbus Classic following a 5-0 start at the UNCW Tournament (Feb. 7-9), their best season-opening performance since 2022. Syracuse secured wins over Le Moyne, UNCW, and Queens (N.C.) throughout the weekend slate.

Syracuse carried its offensive momentum into the season's opening weekend, with Madelyn Lopez leading the charge. The junior posted a .600 batting average (9-for-15) and recorded multi-hit games in four of her five starts. She led the Orange in hits while adding three runs, three RBIs, and three walks. As a team, Syracuse hit .328 (43-for-131) over the five-game stretch, reaching double-digit hits in three contests. The Orange also displayed patience at the plate, drawing 16 walks to boost their on-base percentage to .417, while limiting strikeouts to just 14 across the weekend, never exceeding four in a game.

Syracuse's pitching staff delivered a dominant performance during opening weekend, allowing just three runs across five games. All five pitchers saw action, including Jackie Pengel, who returned to the field for the first time since 2023. Pengel made her first start against Le Moyne (Feb. 9), throwing a complete game with a career-high seven innings and seven strikeouts. Madison Knight also shined in the circle, tossing a complete game in her season debut against UNCW (Feb. 7). She matched her career-best 10 strikeouts, a feat she previously achieved in a win over Lafayette on April 23, 2023.

Head coach Shannon Doepking, who is entering her seventh season at the helm, welcomed nine newcomers to the team in the offseason: seven freshmen and two transfers. The team's first years include infielders Lauren Fox, Kaimi Tulua, Sophia Taliaferro, Erika Zamora, and Kayla Sigala; pitcher/infielder Jackson; and catcher Kiara Bellido. Pitcher/utility Cano and infielder Jadyn Burney round out the newcomers transferring to 'Cuse from George Washington and Mississippi State.

SCOUTING THE SHARKS, GOLDEN EAGLES, BLACK KNIGHTS
LIU opened 2025 at the FGCU Kickoff Classic from Feb. 7-9, playing to a 1-4 record in five contests. The Sharks lone win came against Indiana State, 5-2, but LIU dropped its other four games to Boston University, Boston College, Florida Gulf Coast, and Indiana State. The Shark are coming off a strong 2024 season, during which they secured 32 wins, including 17 in NEC play, earning them a No. 2 preseason conference ranking heading into this season.

Tennessee Tech opened its season at the Furman Paladin Invitational, going 3-2 across five games with wins over South Carolina State and Evansville (2). Following the weekend, pitcher Addison Abell was named OVC Pitcher of the Week for her 0.64 ERA across 11 innings of work.

Army is 2-4 through six games in 2025 with wins over LMU and UC Riverside. Ashton White leads the Black Knights, batting 7-for-20 (.350) with three runs and a pair of RBIs.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST THIS WEEKEND'S OPPONENTS
The Orange's two games against LIU this weekend will be the first between the two programs.

Syracuse and Tennessee Tech have played a pair of games against one another, with the last matchup coming in the 2011 season. The Orange and Golden Eagles split their previous contests.

'Cuse and Army have matched up four times in their all-time series, with the Orange holding a 3-1 edge in wins over the Black Knights. The programs haven't faced off since the 2018 season, when they split a double header in West Point, N.Y.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Friday, Feb. 14 vs. LIU at 3 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 14 vs. Tennessee Tech at 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15 vs. Tennessee Tech at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15 vs. LIU at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 16 vs. Army at 10 a.m.

UP NEXT:
The Orange return to Georgia for the Georgia Classic in Athens from Feb. 21-23. Play begins Friday at 10:30 a.m., when 'Cuse takes on App State.

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