Syracuse expects improved record in conference play after strongest start in 6 years

Three days before Syracuse played its first conference game against Virginia Tech on March 9, head coach Mike Bosch said his team’s success in the Atlantic Coast Conference would be decided in its first two three-game series.

In 2016 and 2017, SU went 1-5 and 3-3 in its first six conference games, respectively. Both seasons, the Orange ended conference play with a .500 record or worse.

This year, Syracuse (15-8, 4-2 ACC) broke through. With an undemanding schedule, featuring Virginia Tech (11-15, 1-5) and Virginia (9-19, 1-5), SU started conference play 4-2, its best mark since joining the ACC.

In years past, SU has had to play catchup after facing the conference’s best in its first two series. The Orange won two of three games in each series this season. Its strong start provided players, especially juniors and seniors, with a solid foundation and a good feeling about the team’s potential success in the ACC going forward.

“A lot depended on how we got out of the gate,” Bosch said. “In the middle stretch, we have some Florida State’s, some Notre Dame’s and Louisville’s. Those are gonna be tough series for us.”

In 2016, Syracuse faced North Carolina and Florida State in its first two series in conference play. After winning its first game against UNC, 8-2, SU lost five straight in the ACC, and was swept by FSU. The Seminoles ended the regular season as the top seed in the conference and went on to win the ACC Tournament championship, while the Tar Heels were the five seed and lost in the second round to FSU. The Orange ended conference play 9-14.

SU’s first two series in conference play last season were against North Carolina State and Georgia Tech, both teams which finished below the Orange in the final standings. While SU jumped out to a stronger start than the previous year by splitting its first six games, its final conference record of 10-10 led to a 6-seed and first round exit in the ACC Tournament to North Carolina.

This season, stellar pitching — including an Alexa Romero no-hitter in each series — and run support primarily led by Bryce Holmgren and Alicia Hansen has led SU to four wins in its first six ACC contests. Seeing the same hitters for three consecutive days makes the pitcher’s job easier, Romero said, and has contributed to her success in conference play.

“We’re seeing the same batters for three-straight days,” Romero said. “The lineups are just more consistent in the ACC, when in tournament play they switch them in and out because you’re only playing them once or twice. It makes my job easier.”

Along with Romero’s dominance has been a flurry of runs produced by Syracuse’s offense. This year, the Orange has averaged more runs a game (6.7) in conference play than they did in either of the past two seasons. Increased production from Holmgren, Hansen, and Toni Martin, coupled with the emergence of freshmen Gabby Teran, Lailoni Mayfield and Miranda Hearn have led to SU’s success at the plate.

Facing the same pitcher multiple times in a series gives hitters a chance to make adjustments after their first at-bat, Hansen said, giving an advantage to the hitter. In addition, coaches provide position players with extensive film and notes on pitchers around the conference.

“(Coaches) prepare us before with all the film, we just need to put it to the test ourselves,” Hansen said. “There’s no reason we should see a pitcher twice and not know what to do from there. Just in one game, we should be making adjustments at-bat to at-bat.”

Despite still having to play against the ACC’s best, Syracuse intends to use its strong opening to conference play to jump-start its success for the rest of the season. With Romero and several hitters at the peaks of their SU careers, the Orange are poised to finish ACC play with a winning record for the first time.

“ACC games just mean more,” Hansen said. “We need to finish in a good spot, we need to make the tournament, and we need to win the tournament.”