Pitching, Late-Game Hitting Propel Orange to Pair of Wins on Saturday

Saturday, February 8

Wilmington, N.C.

12:30 PM

Syracuse University

3-0

Queens (N.C)

1-1

Queens

Syracuse

Photo by: SquintEye Photo / Douglas Neeb

Pitching, Late-Game Hitting Propel Orange to Pair of Wins on Saturday

2/8/2025 7:33:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

WILMINGTON, N.C. - A combination of strong pitching and timely late-game hitting led the Syracuse (4-0) softball team to a pair of victories over Queens University of Charlotte (1-1) and UNCW (2-2) on Saturday at the UNCW Tournament in Wilmington, N.C.

Sydney Jackson and Madison Knight teamed up for the first combined shutout of the season in Syracuse's 3-0 win over the Royals. Jackson, making her college debut, was dominant, recording eight strikeouts and allowing just two hits in her first outing for 'Cuse. Knight also stifled the Royals' offense, striking out five in two innings of work while earning her second win in four games.

Julianna Verni earned the start in game two, pitching a complete-game shutout in Syracuse's 4-0 win over the Seahawks. The junior struck out three UNCW batters and allowed just two hits in her strong performance.

The sixth inning proved crucial for the Orange in both victories. Against Queens, Syracuse pushed across two earned runs and one unearned run to secure the late win. After a walk scored a run in the top of the third against the Seahawks, the Orange added three important insurance runs in the sixth inning to ensure their win in the rematch against UNCW.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST QUEENS:
Sydney Jackson came out strong in her collegiate debut, recording six strikeouts in the first two innings.

Queen's starting pitcher, Abby Craver, kept the Orange hitters off balance early, allowing just four hits through five innings of work. Syracuse created opportunities, putting runners on base in four of the first five innings, but was unable to capitalize.

'Cuse strung together its hits in the bottom of the sixth to score the only three runs of the game. Madelyn Lopez sparked the rally with a leadoff single, followed by Kelly Breen reaching on a throwing error. Laila Morales-Alves then added a single to load the bases with no outs. Angie Ramos lifted a sacrifice fly to right field that was dropped, allowing two Syracuse runners to cross the plate. Peyton Schemmer then reached on a fielder's choice, bringing home an unearned run for the Orange.

Madison Knight, who pitched the game's final two innings to earn the win, closed the door on the Royals with five strikeouts as Syracuse earned its third win of the season, 3-0.

Jackson delivered an impressive debut, pitching five shutout innings while striking out eight, and allowing just two hits.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST UNCW:
The Orange came out strong, tallying six hits in the first three innings. A bases-loaded walk by Madison Knight in the third put Syracuse on the board.

'Cuse broke the game open in the top of the sixth, plating three runs on a walk and three hits. Madison Knight led off with her second walk of the game, and Peyton Schemmer reached on an error. Tessa Galipeau drove in the first run with a single down the left field line, scoring Lauren Fox, who pinch-ran for Knight. Gabby Lantier followed with an RBI single, and Madelyn Lopez capped the rally with another run-scoring hit to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Orange defense remained solid for the rest of the game, handling every ball the Seahawks put in play to secure their fourth win of the season.

Julianna Verni, in her second start of the weekend, threw a complete game to earn the win, holding UNCW to just two hits. She recorded three strikeouts and limited the Seahawks to one walk in the shutout performance.

OF NOTE:

Sydney Jackson made her first collegiate start on the mound, leading Syracuse to a win over Queens. The freshman recorded eight strikeouts while allowing just two hits and two walks over five innings to help Syracuse to its win.
Madison Knight secured the win in the first game of the day, striking out five over two shutout innings to seal the win against Queens.
Julianna Verni earned her second win of the season against the Seahawks, tossing a complete game shutout in the 4-0 win.
Angie Ramos provided the game-winning RBI on a dropped sacrifice fly in the win over Queens.
Peyton Schemmer also recorded an RBI in game one, finishing with one hit, one run, and one run batted in across Syracuse's two contests on Saturday.
Gabby Lantier recorded the first multi-hit game of her career, going 2-for-2 in the win over Queens. She followed that with a 1-for-2 performance against UNCW, scoring one run and adding one RBI.
Madelyn Lopez recorded her 20th and 21st career multi-hit games with two hits each against the Royals and Seahawks. She has now had three games with two hits in the first four games of the season.
Kelly Breen went 2-for-4 at the plate against the Seahawks, her 15^th career multi-hit game. She also knocked her first double of the season against UNCW.
Jadyn Burney notched two hits in three at bats against UNCW, marking her second game with multiple hits this weekend. She also provided a run in the nightcap victory.
Tessa Galipeau's RBI against UNCW was the first of the senior's season.
Kayla Sigala made her first collegiate appearance in a pinch-hit role, lining out to left field in her first at bat.
The Orange's 4-0 start to the season is their best since the 2022 campaign, when Syracuse opened its slate 6-0.
'Cuse earned the first win in the lifetime series against the Royals. The Orange also move to 2-0 all-time against UNCW.
The Orange picked up their first and second shutout victories of the year.

UP NEXT:
The Orange will close out their weekend at the UNCW with a rematch against Le Moyne tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Fans can follow along at the live stats link on the schedule page on cuse.com.

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