Julianna Verni’s complete game propels SU to 5-1 win over BC
Julianna Verni notched her seventh five-strikeout game of the season against Boston College. Zabdyl Koffa | Contributing Photographer
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In Syracuse’s series finale against Boston College, the Orange led 5-0 in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second base, pitcher Julianna Verni induced a high pop-up, giving SU a chance to head into the final frame with the shutout intact.
But despite a solid defensive performance all game from Syracuse, infielder Kelly Breen misjudged the fly ball, letting it drop and allowing BC to score its first run of the game.
Verni remain composed, despite giving up a run. With runners on first and third and the Eagles threatening to cut into SU’s lead, she forced the next batter to ground out, ending the threat.
“I was not worried at any point throughout the game. Those hits weren’t rocked, and I knew we were going to be fine,” Verni said. “We’ve played really, really solid defense this weekend.”
After Verni escaped the sixth inning jam, she pitched three outs in the seventh with two pop outs and a strikeout. Verni’s performance propelled Syracuse (27-19, 6-15 Atlantic Coast) en route to its 5-1 win over Boston College (21-26, 5-16 Atlantic Coast) Sunday, extending its win streak to five. The Orange gave Verni plenty of run support, doing most of their damage in a three-run third-inning outburst.
It was the junior’s fifth complete game this season, and her first since March 1, when she went six innings while allowing one run during a 4-3 win over Quinnipiac. Her quality Sunday performance was also her second straight win as a starter, continuing a bounce-back stretch for Verni after she gave up a combined 24 runs in her previous four starts.
Verni gave up as many hits as Boston College starter Bailey Kendziorski, who only lasted four innings. But she scattered her seven hits across each inning, inducing outs in crucial situations.
She started the game with three quick outs in the first inning, and she battled back to force a groundout and strikeout in the second inning after an early hit by pitch.
In the third inning, Verni allowed her second hit of the game on a 3-2 count to Kali Case. When Case advanced the runner to scoring position on a groundout by Emma Jackson, Verni again delivered, striking out Gator Robinson on a full count before inducing a fly out to end the inning.
The fourth and fifth innings were similar. Verni faced another tough situation in the top of the fifth with a runner at third, but she struck out the side to end the threat. Her performance helped ease the pressure off SU ace Madison Knight, who has logged 132 innings this season.
“(Knight) has done a really, really good job this year, so I’m happy that I’m able to help her out,” Verni said.
For the first time since her eight-strikeout March 26 performance against Le Moyne, Verni collected five strikeouts on Sunday. It was the seventh time she’s done so this season. In those seven contests, Syracuse gained a 6-1 record.
Verni’s performance gave the Orange much-needed momentum heading into their final regular season series against Cal. In order for SU to qualify for the ACC Tournament, it has to continue its success against the Golden Bears.
“It’s the greatest feeling, but we gotta roll into next weekend,” Verni said. “We want to fight, and we’re ready for next weekend, we’ve just got to put in the work this week.”
