
Knight Hits First 'Cuse Walk-Off Home Run Since 2022 For Win Over Notre Dame
4/19/2026 6:25:00 PM | Softball
SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Orange softball team (17-19, 4-12) walked off Notre Dame (19-27, 8-13) 3-2 in the series finale. Madison Knight hit home runs in back-to-back plate appearances, including the Orange's first walk off home run since 2022.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the top of the first inning, Notre Dame's Mickey Winchell scored on an error to put the Irish up 1-0. The Irish would then take a 2-0 lead with Hayden Kyne hitting a solo shot in the top of the fourth inning.Â
In the bottom of the fifth the Orange rallied. Kaimi Tulua delivered a key pinch-hit single to left field. Gabby Lantier then entered as a pinch runner and would score on Madison Knight's two-run home run, her 11th of the season, to even the game at 2–2.
In the top of the sixth, the Orange escaped a bases-loaded threat with a remarkable double play. Julianna Verni fired home to catcher Grace Weaver for the force out, and Weaver quickly threw to Madison Knight at first to complete the inning-ending play.
In the top of the seventh inning, Madelyn Lopez reached over the fence to snag what would have been a home run for the Irish. The Orange walked off in the bottom of the seventh inning with a Madison Knight solo shot, Syracuse's first walk off home run since Angel Jasso's against North Carolina in 2022. The Orange pulled away with a 3-2 win in the series finale.Â
OF NOTEÂ
- Julianna Verni recorded her 84th strikeout of the season in the series finale, the most strikeouts thrown in a season in her career.Â
- Grace Weaver recorded her 100th putout of her freshman season on an impressive 1-2-3 double play. Â
- Madison Knight tied her career high with 10 putouts which she also had during the first game of the series against Notre Dame on Friday, April 17. This is the fourth game this season she has tallied 10 putouts. Â
- Knight also had a 2-home run day, a new career high.Â
- Knight's walk off home run is the first by an Orange player since Angel Jasso against North Carolina on May 8, 2022.Â
- Knight is the first player for SU to hit two home runs in a game since Rebecca Clyde did so on March 11, 2024 against Le Moyne.Â
- Knight drove in all three runs of the game.Â
UP NEXT
The Orange will head out on a road series against Buffalo on Tuesday, April 21 to face off in a doubleheader. Syracuse will continue its road stretch, taking on Louisville from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26 on ACC Network Extra.Â
For complete coverage of Syracuse softball, follow us on Facebook (/cusesb), X (@CuseSB) and Instagram (@cusesb).Â
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Verni, Julianna (5-10)
L: Kamzik, Kami (5-7)
Batting:
HR: Kyne, Hayden 1
RBI: Kyne, Hayden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Winchell, Mickey 1 ; Kyne, Hayden 1
SB: Conner, Molly 1 ; Zachary, Ava 1
CS: Winchell, Mickey 1
HBP: Hagan, Lily 1

Batting:
2B: Lopez, Madelyn 1 ; Seaton, Milija 1
HR: Knight, Madison 2
RBI: Knight, Madison 3
SH: Fox, Lauren 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Knight, Madison 2 ; Lantier, Gabby 1

















