Syracuse splits doubleheader with Army

Syracuse (16-12, 4-5 Atlantic Coast) split its doubleheader with Army (11-17, 2-1 Patriot) on Wednesday afternoon in West Point, New York. The Orange won the first game, 4-1, with Alexa Romero throwing a career-best 14 strikeouts in a complete game effort. Army got its revenge in the rematch and downed SU, 5-1.

In the first game, Syracuse scored all four of its runs in the second inning. After a Toni Martin bunt advanced Gabby Teran to third base, Lailoni Mayfield singled to give SU its first run of the game. A batter later, Michala Maciolek extended the lead to three with a two-RBI single to left center.

Alexa Romero started in the circle, three days after allowing five runs in four innings against Florida State. The sophomore returned to the top of her game, pitching a complete game and striking out a career-high 14 hitters. Romero registered her record-breaking 14th strikeout on the last batter of the game. It was the second time she achieved her record on the last batter this season, with the first time coming on March 13 against Elon.

Although Syracuse’s bats went quiet after the second inning, mustering just three hits, Romero’s brilliance preserved the lead. Army finally got on the board in the sixth inning when Amelia Trotter hit a solo shot to center field, but it did not spark a comeback.

Martin got things started again in the second game with an RBI single in the first inning with two outs. Army then evened the score in the second inning when Kristen McPeek smacked an RBI double to left center.

AnnaMarie Gatti started in the circle for SU. She allowed one run in the first two innings before two throwing errors — one apiece from Gatti and Sammy Fernandez — handed Army four unearned runs in the third. After the third, neither team scored a run for the rest of the game. The Orange tallied just one hit after the second inning.

Syracuse resumes play on Saturday with its home opener, a doubleheader against Boston College set to start at 1 p.m.