Syracuse University
16-18, 3-11
Notre Dame
18-26, 7-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| Syracuse | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
Orange Fall to Notre Dame 6-2
4/17/2026 5:37:00 PM | Softball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange softball team (16-18, 3-11) fell to Notre Dame (18-26, 7-12) 6-2 in the series opener on Friday, April 17. Madelyn Lopez and Madison Knight each recorded two hits, but it wasn't enough to put Syracuse over the Fighting Irish.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange struck first in the bottom of the first inning to get an early 1-0 lead. Knight hit a single, beating out the throw from shortstop to land on first base. Lopez singled on a bunt, advancing Knight to second base. Vanessa Flores reached first base on an error, loading the bases for 'Cuse. Kendall Gaunt stepped up to the plate, hitting the ball into left field, bringing Knight home to score.Â
The Irish would get runners on base at first and third in the top of the second inning on a hit by pitch and single to center field. Kendall Gaunt would make the second out of the inning, catching a fly ball in right field and allowing only one run to score. Notre Dame would add another run in the top of the fourth inning, as Molly Conner scored from third base on an error.
The Syracuse defense came out strong at the start of the sixth inning, getting the first out in a rundown between third and home. The Irish would battle back, scoring four consecutive runs to stretch the lead.
Grace Weaver would start a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth with a line drive single to left field. Lauren Fox followed suit with a grounder that got through to left field. Gabby Lantier would get the bases loaded for the Orange after getting hit by a pitch. Knight singled to left field, scoring Weaver, to add another run to the board.
The Orange were unable to outlast Notre Dame, ultimately falling 6-2 to the Irish in the series opener.Â
OF NOTEÂ
- Madelyn Lopez recorded her seventh multi-hit game of the season.Â
- Madison Knight led the team in putouts, tallying 10.Â
- Knight's two-hit performance is her fourth multi-hit game of the season.Â
UP NEXTÂ
Syracuse will face Notre Dame for the second game of the series on Saturday, April 18 at Skytop Softball Stadium. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra
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For complete coverage of Syracuse softball, follow us on Facebook (/cusesb), X (@CuseSB) and Instagram (@cusesb).  Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kastor, Micaela (5-12)
L: Verni, Julianna (4-10)
Batting:
2B: Hagan, Lily 1 ; Kyne, Hayden 1
RBI: Houlihan, Avery 1 ; Levitt, Olivia 1 ; O'Brien, Caroline 1 ; Early, Caitlyn 2
SF: Levitt, Olivia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Houlihan, Avery 1 ; Willemssen, Christina 1 ; Early, Caitlyn 1 ; Conner, Molly 1 ; Hagan, Lily 1 ; Kyne, Hayden 1
SB: Houlihan, Avery 1 ; Poeck, Sydny 2
HBP: Kyne, Hayden 1
Batting:
RBI: Knight, Madison 1 ; Gaunt, Kendall 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knight, Madison 1 ; Weaver, Grace 1
SB: Fox, Lauren 1
HBP: Lantier, Gabby 1
