Softball Secures Best Start in Program History

Friday, February 14

Columbus, Ga.

3 PM

Syracuse University

6-0

LIU

1-6

Long Island

Syracuse

2/14/2025 7:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Syracuse softball team (7-0) secured its best start in program history, defeating LIU (1-6), 10-1, in five innings, and Tennessee Tech (4-3), 3-0, on the first day of The Columbus Classic at South Commons Softball Complex. The Orange were led by a three-home run performance in game one and a complete-game shutout pitching effort in game two.

The Orange earned their first run-rule victory of the season, defeating LIU, 10-1, in five innings. Syracuse's offense was on fire in the win, hitting its first three home runs of the season, including a three-run blast by Madelyn Lopez, who extended her streak to five consecutive multi-hit games. Kelly Breen and Tessa Galipeau also hit home runs in the dominant victory.

In the nightcap, a complete-game shutout from Madison Knight led the Orange to their seventh consecutive win of the season. The junior held the Golden Eagles scoreless, allowing just three hits and striking out seven, while stranding all four runners who reached base. Taylor Posner and Breen provided the offensive support, combining for three runs batted in.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST LIU:
Syracuse jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first inning, highlighted by a Laila Morales-Alves two-RBI double that brought home Lopez and Breen. Peyton Schemmer followed with an RBI single, scoring the Orange catcher to extend the advantage.

Syracuse built on its early lead in the bottom of the second, adding four runs to push the advantage to 7-0. Galipeau led off with a single to right-center, followed by a bunt single from Gabby Lantier. Lopez then launched the Orange's first home run of the season, a three-run shot, before Breen followed with a solo homer on the next at-bat.

A two-run homer from Galipeau in the bottom of the third extended Syracuse's lead, bringing home Knight, who had reached base on a walk.

LIU got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth, but Syracuse responded in the bottom of the fifth, reaching double digits as Knight drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home Morales-Alves.

Julianna Verni earned the game-one start and victory, pitching four innings while allowing six hits and one run. She issued one walk and struck out five, matching her career-high for the third time. Jackie Pengel entered in the fifth inning to close out the game, striking out one and securing Syracuse's first run-rule victory of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST TENNESSEE TECH:
Syracuse gained a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Breen hit a hard ground ball to shortstop and beat out the throw to first, allowing Posner to cross the plate.

'Cuse extended its lead with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kaimi Tulua, making her collegiate debut, recorded a single in her first at-bat for the Orange. Vanessa Flores then followed with her first hit of the season, a single to center field, and advancing on an error. With runners on second and third, Posner hit a dribbler to first that was misplayed, allowing pinch-runner Lauren Fox to score. Posner then strategically got into a rundown between first and second, creating enough time for a second run to cross the plate.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the game, as Syracuse secured a 3-0 shutout victory. The win extended the Orange's undefeated start to 7-0, marking the best start to a season in program history.

Knight recorded her second complete game of the season, with this one being a shutout victory. The junior allowed just three hits and one walk over her seven innings, while also tallying seven strikeouts.

OF NOTE:

The Orange's 7-0 start is officially the best in program history, surpassing the 2011 and 2022 teams' 6-0 streaks to open the season.
Lopez finished the win over LIU with a pair of hits, including the fifth home run of her career. The junior recorded multi-hit games in five consecutive outings and 23 times in her career, with her streak ending in the second game of the evening. She also collected three RBIs against the Sharks, marking her eighth career multi-RBI game and third game with three RBIs.
With a pair of hits in both games, Morales-Alves now has 25 career multi-hit games. The catcher also caught one runner stealing in the win over LIU, bringing her total to 29 career steals. She is one away from tying for third with Katie Kaempfer (2002-05), who holds 30.
Breen launched the 16th home run of her career against LIU, adding to her strong start to the season. She also collected a pair of hits, marking her 22nd career multi-hit game. In the second game against Tennessee Tech, Breen tallied two hits and an RBI, bringing her total to 23 career multi-hit games.
Galipeau's home run in the win over LIU marked the ninth of her career. She finished the game with two hits and two RBIs, her 17th career multi-hit game and 12th multi-RBI game.
Verni secured her second win of the season after starting and pitching four innings in the win over LIU. She matched her career-best five strikeouts for the third time in her career.
Knight earned her third win of the season over the Golden Eagles, tossing a complete-game shutout with seven strikeouts.
Schemmer earned the second multi-hit game of her career with a pair against LIU. She also added an RBI in the win.
Posner charged the offense in game two with her pair of runs batted in. The performance was her first game with multiple RBI this season and the 16th of her career.
Tulua made her college debut in the game against the Golden Eagles in a pinch-hit role, sending a single to left field for her first collegiate hit.
Flores earned her first hit of the season when she connected on a single to center field against Tennessee Tech.
The Orange's three home runs against the Sharks were their first three of the season. The last time 'Cuse knocked three out of the park in one game was a season ago against Le Moyne on April 24, 2024.
'Cuse takes the first win in the all-time series against the Sharks. The Orange also move to 2-1 against the Golden Eagles. Syracuse will face off against both of these teams again tomorrow.
After scoring three runs in the first inning against the Sharks, Syracuse is now 3-0 when it scores in the first.
The Orange's 10 runs against LIU are the most they have scored in a game this season.

UP NEXT:
The Orange continue play at the Columbus Classic tomorrow with a pair of rematches against the Golden Eagles and Sharks. First pitch against Tennessee Tech is slated for 3 p.m. with the matchup with LIU scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Fans can watch at the livestream link at the schedule on cuse.com.

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