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In the sixth inning in game one of Friday’s doubleheader, Florida State’s Kennedy Harp broke the 2-2 tie, scoring on a throwing error from Syracuse catcher Laila Morales-Alves after she stole second and third base consecutively.

However, Syracuse responded in the bottom of the frame. Morales-Alves singled then took second base after a sacrifice bunt by Makenzie Foster. Despite Kelly Breen striking out, Rebecca Clyde stepped up, blasting a double, scoring Morales-Alves to tie the game.

Entering Friday’s doubleheader against No. 14 Florida State (41-12, 19-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), Syracuse (27-22, 8-15 ACC) won the first game 4-3 before dropping the second 3-2. After two victories against Virginia Tech and Cornell, Syracuse carried its momentum against a top team in the country.

“Our recent wins have definitely added to our confidence and I think everybody’s at a mental space where they feel like they can have success,” Clyde said.

In the top of the second inning, Jahni Kerr knocked a double to right that advanced Devyn Flaherty to third base. Clyde, immersing herself on third base, collected the ball from Angel Jasso’s assist and tagged out Flaherty in a flash, avoiding potential danger to cost Syracuse.

“This is definitely a really good offensive team,” Clyde said. “We’re really in a competitive mindset of ‘we need to get this done’. I honestly think that pressure is helping us perform a little bit (better).”

Despite allowing two runs early on from the Seminoles, the Orange bounced back in the fourth. Despite facing a jam, Lindsey Hendrix got out of the inning unscathed.

In the last inning of game one, Jasso — who accumulated nine putouts across the two games — made a diving play in center field for the first out of the inning. Then, Hendrix proceeded to retire the side.

“She’s been phenomenal for us and I think her in the outfield has been crucial to us winning,” Clyde said of Jasso. “She’s a big part of our defense.”

Syracuse responded offensively after the stout defensive play from Jasso. After clawing its way back from a 2-0 deficit, Lopez opened up with a walk, then swiftly shifted to second after a Jasso single. With Posner following in the box, Lopez stole third and Jasso smoothly moved to second due to a fielding error from Florida State.

Posner then followed up with another single. Due to a second consecutive fielding error from Florida State, Jasso grabbed the chance and stole third, while Posner took second. Florida State intentionally walked Madison Knight, loading the bases.

After the Orange tied it up again 3-3, they kept their offensive prowess and eventually sealed the first game with a walk-off hit by Angie Ramos in the seventh inning, scoring Jasso to win the game. The victory marked Syracuse’s 27th of the season, the highest in Shannon Doepking’s tenure.

Although Syracuse struggled in a scoring drought since the first inning of game two, it regained the long-awaited offensive strength in the final inning. Clyde cracked an impressive double to left. Lopez followed that up with a single. Having two batters on base, Clyde scored on a sacrifice from Jasso to cut SU’s deficit to 3-2. Though the offensive stretch ceased as Posner was struck out by Ashtyn Danley. The following groundout by Morales-Alves marked the third out of the inning en route to a one-run loss.

“I think this team is pretty good under pressure. I think that’s why we tend to score later in games,” Clyde said.

Published on May 3, 2024 at 10:54 pm