Five total home runs for Syracuse, including two from Corinne Ozanne and 24 strikeouts from the pitching staff led the Orange (11-11, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) to two victories over Savannah State (10-15) Tuesday afternoon in Savannah, Georgia.

SU took the first game, 8-2, and the second, 7-0, climbing back to .500 on the season.

Senior Jocelyn Cater threw a complete game for the Orange in game one, surrendering two runs on four hits, while walking none and falling one strikeout shy of her career high. Her 15 strikeouts are the most by a Syracuse pitcher in a single game this season.

Savannah State pitcher Amanda Hallman gave up all eight runs on nine hits, and Ozanne, freshman Hannah Dossett and junior Alyssa Dewes each went yard for Syracuse.

Leading 5-1, Ozanne nailed a 2-1 pitch to deep center field, notching three RBIs and putting the Orange up 8-1. Savannah State countered with one run in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough for the Tigers in their six-run loss.

The second game was again dominated by the Orange, who knocked in seven runs on seven hits in the nightcap.

Junior Sydney O’Hara notched an RBI triple in the third inning, the first triple of her career, and freshman Andrea Bombace hit a pinch-hit solo home run in the sixth. It was her fourth homer on the season, which is second on the team to Ozanne’s six.

Ozanne stayed hot in the second game, posting four RBIs on a double and a home run. Her six home runs, 21 hits and 19 RBIs all lead SU through 22 games.

Sophomore AnnaMarie Gatti got the start for Syracuse in the circle, giving up no runs on five hits, while striking out three and walking two in five innings of work. She was followed in relief by O’Hara, who struck out all six batters she faced in the final two innings.

The Orange will continue its road trip on Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina, against Charleston Southern and pick up ACC play this weekend against Florida State.

Published on March 15, 2016 at 7:39 pm

Contact Matt: mjfel100@syr.edu