Syracuse notches 1st ACC win since April 5 by downing BC 7-1
Syracuse collected its first Atlantic Coast Conference win in 20 days by defeating Boston College Friday. Leonardo Eriman | Asst. Video Editor
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Syracuse entered Friday’s matchup with Boston College with zero Atlantic Coast Conference series wins this season. After a record-breaking start, SU has hit a wall in conference play.
So far, the Orange’s only three ACC wins have come against UNC, Duke and Georgia Tech. Offensive woes, failure to capitalize on key moments and prolonged losing streaks contribute to the consistent losses.
But Friday, Syracuse (25-19, 4-15 ACC) had a breakthrough against Boston College (21-24, 5-14 Atlantic Coast), defeating the Eagles 7-1. SU cracked two home runs and shut the Eagles down after the second inning, leading to its first conference victory since April 5 against GT.
Despite a weather delay, SU starter Madison Knight made quick work of BC in the top of the first, forcing two groundouts and a strikeout. The junior flashed her two-way dominance on Friday, pitching her 15th complete game while notching her first three-hit game of the season.
“I tried to stay locked in as much as possible,” Knight said. “I like to keep myself at a steady pace.”
Syracuse gained an early lead in the next frame. Vanessa Flores hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Madelyn Lopez to put Syracuse on the board and mark Flores’ ninth RBI of the season.
“It was a big sigh of relief, knowing that we have our bats and we can rely on our offense if the defense can’t get it done,” Knight said about the offense’s early momentum.
The Eagles scored their only run in the top of the second inning when Janis Espinoza’s single flew past The Orange infielder Kelly Breen to plate Katelyn Deguire from second base, tying the score 1-1.
But Syracuse answered during the bottom of the second inning: its best of the game. Knight started the frame off with a home run that soared over the left field wall, giving SU a 2-1 lead it wouldn’t surrender. Then, Angie Ramos stroked a single, and Breen promptly knocked her in with a double. From there, Lopez cracked a two-run homer to right field, ending the inning 5-1.
Syracuse stepped on the gas in the bottom of the fifth. The bases were loaded with only one out, with Knight up to bat. She hit a sharp single to shortstop, giving Gabby Lantier time to run home, pushing the score to 6-1. However, the Orange failed to score again. Ramos popped up to first base, and Breen flew out.
In the bottom of the sixth, Lopez was again in prime scoring position on third. Taylor Posner drove her home with a single to left field.
The Eagles had one last chance to score in the top of the seventh, but much like the first inning, Knight shut them down efficiently. She struck out BC’s first batter Jordan Stephens. The next two outs came on back-to-back fly balls to center field, giving the victory to SU.
Syracuse has an opportunity for a potential series sweep this weekend, as it will face the Eagles again Saturday and Sunday.
“It shows light at the end of the tunnel for us,” Knight said. “I think it gives us a lot of hope that we can do this and we went out and showed that we can.”
