Tulua’s Go-Ahead Double Lifts ’Cuse Over UNC

Friday, March 28

Syracuse, N.Y.

3 PM

Syracuse University

21-11, 2-8

North Carolina

26-9, 6-4

North Carolina

Syracuse

Tulua’s Go-Ahead Double Lifts ’Cuse Over UNC

3/28/2025 6:17:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Freshman Kaimi Tulua delivered a go-ahead double in the top of the fourth inning as the Syracuse softball team (21-11, 2-8 ACC) rallied from a four-run deficit to secure a 7-5 victory over North Carolina (26-8, 6-3 ACC) in the series opener on Friday at Skytop Softball Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
North Carolina struck first with an RBI double in the top of the second inning. The Tar Heels extended their lead in the third with a three-run homer to go up 4-0 early in the game.

The deficit did not faze the Orange, as Syracuse responded with seven runs between the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Tessa Galipeau led off the third with a double, and pinch runner Sophia Taliaferro came around to score on Gabby Lantier's RBI double for the Orange's first run of the day. Angie Ramos followed with a single, moving Lantier to third. Two batters later, Taylor Posner drove them both in with a two-run single, cutting the deficit to one.

'Cuse carried its momentum into the fourth when Kelly Breen and Galipeau reached second and third with back-to-back hits. Jadyn Burney then loaded the bases with a bunt single, setting up Tulua in a pinch-hit opportunity. The freshman delivered in the clutch with a go-ahead two-run double, giving Syracuse a 5-4 lead. Ramos and Madelyn Lopez extended the advantage with RBI singles, bringing the Orange's lead to three runs.

The Tar Heels added a run in the top of the fifth with an RBI double, but that was all Madison Knight would allow. The Syracuse starter held North Carolina in check the rest of the way, finishing off a strong performance in the circle to secure the Orange's 7-5 victory.

Knight finished with a complete-game effort, allowing five hits, three walks, and striking out three. The junior limited north carolina to just one run over the final four innings to secure the win.

OF NOTE:

Tulua's two-run double gave her the fourth multi-RBI performance of her young career.
Ramos added a pair of hits for Syracuse, along with an RBI. She now has 18 career multi-hit games, including nine this year.
Posner drove in two runs for the Orange, the third time this season she's driven in at least two runs.
Galipeau knocked two doubles in the win, her 22^nd career game with at least two hits.
Lantier finished the afternoon with a pair of hits, her fifth multi-hit game of the season.
Syracuse improved to 19-1 this season when recording more hits than its opponent.
'Cuse is a perfect 7-0 in games where it hits between six and nine runs.
The win moves Syracuse to 12-14 in the all-time series against the Tar Heels. The Orange also extend their home winning streak over UNC to four games, dating back to a series sweep from May 6-8, 2022.

UP NEXT:
The Syracuse and UNC series continues tomorrow, Saturday, March 29, for game two at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

Admission and parking to all games at Skytop Softball Stadium are free. Fans interested in watching from home can stream the contest online or through the ESPN app.

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