Syracuse uses 7th-inning scoring burst to defeat UNC, 8-6

Syracuse (10-10, 2-1 Atlantic Coast) won its first ACC series of the year on Sunday, taking down North Carolina, 8-6, in the decisive third game. The Orange have won four of their last five games after struggling in season-opening tournaments and took down the Tar Heels (9-13, 3-3) behind a four-run seventh inning.

Sophomore Jamie Gregg went 4-for-5 with one RBI on the afternoon to lead an 11-hit offensive performance by the Orange. SU ace Alexa Romero took a no-decision with two earned runs in 3.1 innings, but freshman Catie Dobbs picked up the win in 2.2 innings of work.

UNC opened the scoring in the first frame despite not recording a hit. Romero walked Campbell Hutcherson, who reached third on a steal and a throwing error. Later in the inning, Megan Dray stole second after reaching on an error, and Hutcherson was called safe at home on an obstruction by freshman Jude Padilla. At the bottom of the third, Dray hit a two-run home run to extend Tar Heels’ lead.

Syracuse responded with three runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. Gregg scored Rebecca Clyde on a single, and Neli Casares-Maher drove in two more on a triple. The Tar Heels tallied another unearned run in the sixth inning when Katie Perkins reached first on a passed ball strikeout. She landed at third after a subsequent single and scored on a sacrifice fly.

Down to its final two outs, SU showed resilience with a four-run seventh inning to win the game. Singles by Lailoni Mayfield and Gabby Teran scored three runs, and a groundout by Miranda Hearn added a fourth. Dobbs struggled to close the game, allowing a walk and a double to bring the tying run to the plate, but freshman Kaia Oliver shut the door. She grounded out Lexi Godwin, which scored the runner from third, and then struck out two more to secure the save.

The Orange will head to Memphis, Tennessee, for the Tiger Classic next weekend — their final non-conference tournament of the year.