Syracuse loses doubleheader to start ACC-Big Ten Challenge

Last year, Syracuse lost nine games by one run. In 2019, SU has already lost three tight matchups in the first six games.

Penn State’s (2-4) offensive flurry in the sixth inning and No. 24 Indiana’s (7-0) timely hitting handed Syracuse (1-5) two losses on Friday in Durham, North Carolina. The Orange lost to PSU 3-2 and to IU 6-5.

In the first game, the Orange couldn’t capitalize on a strong pitching performance from Sophie Dandola. In her first start, the sophomore transfer from Hofstra didn’t allow a base runner through the first four innings, and escaped in the fifth after allowing two hits. Entering the sixth inning, SU held a 1-0 lead after freshman catcher Alexis Kaiser’s RBI double in the fourth inning.

Dandola ran into trouble in the top of the six, forcing reliever Miranda Hearn to inherit runners on second and third. Hearn hit a batter and walked in a run before Dandola returned to the circle. In the end, PSU scored two runs on one hit against Hearn and Dandola in the sixth inning. In total, Dandola allowed three runs on five hits, getting all 21 outs and striking out five.

On the first pitch of the seventh inning, Bryce Holmgren launched a bomb over the right field fence, but the hit was waived dead because the speakers were still blaring music at the time of the pitch. Instead, Holmgren beat out a solid grounder in the hole between shortstop and third for an infield single. Jessica Skladal pinch ran for her and scored later on Alex Acevedo’s lined double down the right field line.

But, in the end, Penn State’s freshman ace Bailey Parshall struck out the next two batters to secure her complete game, 3-2 victory. Parshall recorded 13 punchouts and allowed three hits.

To start the second game, IU’s catcher Bella Norton took an Alexa Romero pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer. Syracuse escaped further damage later in the inning, when right fielder Bryce Holmgren backpedaled to the fence and robbed another home run.

Romero, who had allowed five earned runs and walked ten in 12 previous innings pitched, struggled again with her control. Hearn relieved her after an inning and a third of work, as Romero walked one and hit a batter while giving up three runs. Romero appeared to have some discomfort in her throwing hand as a mound meeting with trainers took several minutes. 

Junior Toni Martin put Syracuse on the board in the top of the fourth with her first home run of the season, a solo blast that squeezed just inside the left field pole. One inning later, Kaiser drove a ball to the opposite field for a three-run shot to pull ahead 4-3. Taylor Lambert’s RBI single tied the game up, 4-4,  in the bottom half of the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, Hearn and Logan Paul walked the bases loaded before Cam Woodall singled to center to give IU the 6-4 advantage. Kaiser had another chance to retake the lead when she entered the batter’s box with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but she hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring pinch runner Taylor Lane.

With one last shot to tie or take the lead, Acevedo struck out to end the game. Syracuse rematches the Nittany Lions tomorrow and the Hoosiers Sunday.