Early offense pushes Syracuse to 14-run win over Boston College
Taylor Posner's grand slam, four of 12 Syracuse runs in the second and third innings, helped push SU to its blowout win over Boston College. Angelina Grevi | Staff Photographer
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During the bottom of the second inning of Saturday’s home clash against Boston College, Syracuse led 4-0. The Orange could’ve approached the circumstance in two ways. SU could’ve relaxed and taken its foot off the gas. Or, it could’ve brought the same energy and intensity it had thus far and continued to pile on runs. Syracuse chose the latter.
With the bases loaded, outfielder Taylor Posner walked up to home plate. Although Posner’s teammates had generated four runs already, she was determined to add to the scoring column. The most important ingredient to her recipe for success was focus.
“I was seeing (BC pitcher Kelly Colleran) pretty well,” Posner said of her first-inning flyout. “Going up (again), I was locked in. I was ready to go.”
Posner’s mindset led her down the right path. The Pennsylvania native crushed a ball deep into center field and over the fence for her first career grand slam. The blast helped propel Syracuse (26-19, 5-15 Atlantic Coast) to a resounding 16-2 win over Boston College (21-25, 5-15 Atlantic Coast). The Orange scored 12 runs across the second and third innings to pull away early.
The homer wasn’t Posner’s first time launching one out against the Eagles, though. The senior went yard twice in Massachusetts last season. Posner’s second at-bat sent a message to her teammates that it’s essential to treat every play the same, despite the score.
In the bottom of the third inning, SU pitcher Madison Knight embodied her teammate’s motives. She advanced to second base and eventually scored after wild pitches from BC reliever Gabriella Aughton. Knight also held her concentration on the mound and lasted four innings while only giving up two runs.
Syracuse continued knocking hit after hit in the third inning. Orange shortstop Jadyn Burney sent pinch runner Taylor Davison home on a single to right field to widen the margin to double digits. Burney’s energy never folded, as she went 2-for-3 Saturday.
With the shortstop on base and outfielder Madelyn Lopez in scoring position, designated hitter Vanessa Flores was in a prime spot to add another tally. Flores not only sent in one run, but she blasted another home run to boost SU to a 12-0 advantage.
“It’s a dog fight. We really want to keep this going,” Posner said. “We’re just fighting. We really have our fists up. We’re pumping. We’re gonna keep going.”
Boston College gave Syracuse a small scare when pinch hitter Abby Ptak sent a ball over the fence for a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning. The Orange immediately responded to not only cancel out the Eagles’ runs but also to achieve their largest lead of the game.
Saturday’s performance marked SU’s greatest advantage since its 15-0 victory against Niagara on March 19. First, catcher Laila Morales-Alves brought Knight home. Then, Morales-Alves and infielder Kelly Breen also made trips around the diamond thanks to a single from Lopez.
And Posner’s grand slam set the tone for Syracuse’s big day. Posner, who hit 11 home runs in 2024, has not been crushing balls out of ballparks as frequently in 2025. The senior homered for the second time this campaign on Saturday, and she added postgame it was among her favorite moments of the year.
“I’m not gonna lie, (it was) probably No. 1,” Posner said. “It was like a dream. It was amazing.”
