The Syracuse softball team has reached a critical point in its Big East season. Halfway through Big East play, SU (10-18, 4-6 Big East) is in a three-way tie for sixth place in the league. Though the Orangewomen are struggling, they are within striking distance of a top-four finish and a Big East tournament berth.

If SU hopes to qualify, it must turn its season around quickly, starting with today’s 3 p.m. game against Hofstra at Syracuse Softball Stadium. The game marks the Orangewomen’s final tune-up before Saturday’s doubleheader with perennial Big East-power Notre Dame (20-11, 6-0).

‘We haven’t put it all together yet,’ SU head coach Mary Jo Firnbach said. ‘We haven’t had many games where we do everything necessary to win.’

One thing Syracuse has not done much of is hit. In Sunday’s doubleheader split with St. John’s, SU managed just two hits in the first game, a 3-2 SU win. SU is batting .260, fourth in the Big East.

But those stats are padded by the standout performances of second baseman Rachel Park and first baseman Jennifer Orpitelli, who are batting .372 and .367, respectively. Tanya Rose has the next best average (.270).

‘We just have to finish,’ freshman designated player Cassie Morales said. ‘We have to do the same things we’ve been doing and keep going at it.’

When the Orangewomen have gotten offensive production, the pitching and defense have faltered. SU’s 2.80 team ERA ranks in the bottom five of the Big East. SU’s staff has relied heavily on senior Tara DiMaggio. Against the Red Storm, she pitched a complete game win in game one and hurled two innings of relief in game two.

Junior transfer Haley Larsen struggled early in the season but has improved lately. At Virginia Tech on March 29, she surrendered five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. But Sunday she started the second game against St. John’s and gave up two earned runs in four-and-one-third innings.

‘Haley’s been looking really good,’ Firnbach said. ‘She’s been hitting her spots, and we’ve played better defense behind her.’

In today’s non-conference doubleheader, SU faces a talented Hofstra team, which won last season’s Colonial Athletic Association title. On Sunday, the Pride had its 15-game conference winning streak snapped in a 1-0 loss to Delaware. Hofstra beat SU 1-0 in the two team’s only meeting last season.

‘I’m not worried about that,’ Firnbach said. ‘Each team is different every year. They’re a good team that hits very well.’

Published on April 14, 2003 at 12:00 pm