Apparently, freshmen athletic success has become commonplace around the Syracuse sports scene.

With the SU softball team struggling, a pair of freshmen — first baseman Jennifer Orpitelli and shortstop Alexis Switenko — led a newly potent offense in lifting the Orangewomen to a doubleheader sweep of Providence on Sunday. Syracuse won the first game, 10-2, and took the second game, 10-6.

The two wins snapped SU’s three-game losing streak. Originally scheduled to play six games in a four-day stretch, the first four games at Canisius and Brown were canceled because of inclement weather.

When the Orangewomen finally took the field, the freshmen duo snapped them out of their season-long slump. Orpitelli went 5-for-7 in the two games with two home runs and four RBIs. Switenko finished the day 4-for-6 with three home runs and eight RBIs, both school records for a doubleheader.

‘They’ve both had a great year,’ SU head coach Mary Jo Firnbach said. ‘Jennifer has moved up in the lineup, and having her bat in front of Alexis is huge. It gives us so much power potential.’

Firnbach said the team went through a horrible trip to Rhode Island because of the bad weather. Still, the Orangewomen came out with a prepared attitude, which helped them get into rhythm.

‘(Providence) took two from us last year,’ Firnbach said. ‘It was good to get two back and get on the right track.’

Last Tuesday, the Syracuse coaching staff, frustrated by SU’s play, left the team to practice alone and do some soul-searching. The players were given envelopes with motivational sayings in hopes of bringing the group closer together.

The strategy worked. SU combined for 20 runs and 22 hits in the two games, its best output this season. The two freshmen were not the only Orangewomen who had big games. Sophomore outfielder Tanya Rose, who struggled earlier this year, found her stroke this weekend. She laced four hits, a home run and four RBIs in the wins. Senior pitcher Tara DiMaggio also returned to form, pitching a complete game three-hitter in the first win.

‘We’re starting to step it up a little more,’ senior designated player Julie Dunn said. ‘We just have to trust each other and know that we have talent.’

Still, unpredictable weather continues to plague the Orangewomen. In addition to canceling four games over the weekend, today’s scheduled contest at Binghamton was postponed due to poor field conditions and inclement weather.

Wednesday’s home opener against Penn State is also in jeopardy. Firnbach said that a tarp covers the field, but the grass remains frozen underneath. She hopes to get the game in, but the status is still uncertain.

‘The weather is annoying,’ Firnbach said. ‘I knew it would be a problem when I took the job, but most programs are having problems with the weather. You just have to learn not to worry about things you can’t control.’

Published on April 7, 2003 at 12:00 pm