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Going into a three-game weekend series at the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Syracuse Orange softball team really needed some wins. SU responded with a resounding sweep, winning 8-0, 8-1 and 7-3 over the course of two days.
The festivities started on Friday, with a four-run first inning and a strong six innings of pitching by the Orange’s Alexa Romero, who allowed just four hits and struck out 12. Hannah Dossett was 1-for-3 with three RBIs, while Faith Cain knocked in two runs of her own. Sammy Fernandez, Bryce Holmgren and Rachel Burkhardt also chipped in an RBI apiece in the shutout victory.
Syracuse scored first again in game two on Friday, then pulled away late with three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. Both Cain and Jessica Heese hit home runs, and each chipped in three RBIs to split the team lead. Alicia Hansen and Sydney O’Hara added an RBI apiece. O’Hara also notched the win, allowing two hits and striking out six in just over two innings of work.
In the third game on Saturday, the Orange struck first once again, and despite a push by Pitt, they never surrendered the lead. Olivia Martinez homered for SU, but it was Cain leading the offense yet again, collecting another three RBIs. Romero also collected another win after seven innings of work.
The three-game sweep moves Syracuse’s record to 22-15 overall and 6-9 in the ACC. Earning those resounding victories not only push the Orange up to seventh place in the league standings, but almost bury Pitt’s chances at making the ACC Tournament as well. The top eight teams qualify for the single-elimination championship.
Next up for the Orange are a couple one-off series this week: a doubleheader vs. Niagara on Tuesday and another doubleheader at Siena on Wednesday. SU returns to ACC action on Friday against second-place North Carolina.