Syracuse falls 8-3 to Pittsburgh in series opener

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In the opening game of a must-win three-game series against Pittsburgh, Syracuse trailed by one in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and two runners on.

But as it had all day, Pitt came through. Kat Rodriguez’s fourth hit of the day scored Ana Hernandez to extend the Panthers’ lead to 5-3. Then, Cami Compson hit a no-doubt home run over the center field wall to extend Pitt’s lead to five.

Life was completely sucked out of SU, as it had nothing to give in the bottom of the seventh, dropping the first game of the series.

With Pittsburgh (14-28, 5-14 Atlantic Coast Conference) sitting a spot behind Syracuse (20-19, 4-12 Atlantic Coast Conference) for the final ACC Tournament spot, the three-game series between the Orange and Panthers is arguably the most important series of the season for both teams. Anchored by its four-run sixth inning, Pitt corraled an 8-3 series-opening win. Pittsburgh now sits one game ahead of SU for the No. 10 seed in the ACC Tournament — the tournament’s last spot.

Syracuse immediately pressured Pitt starter Olivia Stefanoni, as it had runners on first and second with no outs in the first inning. But she struck out Taylor Posner and got Kelly Breen to fly out to end the threat.

Madison Knight started in the circle for the Orange, and two batters into the game, Rodriguez tripled on a line drive down the right field line. The following hitter Compson grounded to Mackenzie Foster at second, who threw Rodriguez out at home to keep the game scoreless.

Both teams were shut down quickly in the second, but Syracuse struck first in the top of the third. With two outs, Angel Jasso and Madelyn Lopez singled, bringing up Posner. She made up for her earlier strikeout, blooping a single into left field. Jasso wheeled home giving the Orange a 1-0 lead.

Though the Panthers got the run back in the bottom of the frame, as Rodriguez laced a single to center field with runners on first and second. Jasso fielded it cleanly and threw home. Her throw was perfect, originally in time to get Kylie Griggs at the plate. But after a video review, she was called safe, tying the game 1-1.

Knight and Rebecca Clyde responded by hitting back-to-back singles in the top of the fourth with two outs. Yet Stefanoni thwarted the opportunity, getting Foster to ground out to first base. Pitt took advantage in the bottom of the inning, as Desirae Martinez singled with two outs bringing Jace Jackson home and handing the Panthers the lead.

In the top of the fifth, the Orange caught multiple breaks. After Jasso’s third hit of the game, Lopez sacrificed bunted to move her into scoring possession. Jasso got aggressive and tried for third, but was tagged out. However, Martinez was called for obstruction by blocking the basepath, making Jasso safe.

Posner then grounded to short and Hernandez decided to throw home. The throw was completely off the mark, allowing Jasso to score and tie the game. Posner moved to second on the play and two batters later, Laila Morales-Alves gave SU a 3-2 lead on a single to right field.

Julia Verni took over in the circle for the fifth and walked Macy Hamilton to begin her 16th appearance of the season. Pitt proceeded to put two runners in scoring position with just one out, giving it a prime opportunity to tie the game or take the lead. Verni forced Compson to ground out, but Amanda Ramirez singled, giving Pitt a 4-3 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Jasso continued her hot day, picking up her fourth single with two outs. She stole second, but Lopez flew out to left to end the inning. The Panthers shattered any hope of a Syracuse comeback in the bottom of the sixth with a four-run inning, and sealed the first game of the series with a win.