Syracuse shined at the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla., this weekend, earning some signature nonconference wins. SU defeated two ranked teams in the tournament.

The Orange (9-6) won four of its five games, defeating North Carolina, No. 16 Michigan, No. 10 Baylor and Virginia. The team’s only loss came to No. 19 Auburn in a 5-0 shutout. Freshman pitcher Lindsay Taylor made her first career start in it. 

Jenna Caira pitched gems in her three starts. Caira won all three and improved her record to 6-3 with a 2.35 ERA.

The most impressive of those three wins came against Baylor. Caira threw a complete game, held the Bears to three hits and struck out seven to earn a 2-1 win.

Outfielder Lisaira Daniels continued her hot streak at the plate. The senior hit her team-leading fourth and fifth home runs of the season during the tournament. Daniels also leads the team with a .378 batting average.

The Orange will return to Florida for the USF Under Armour Invitational next weekend. SU will also play the Netherlands national team in Clearwater, Fla., March 13.

—Compiled by Nick Toney, staff writer, nctoney@syr.edu

Published on March 4, 2012 at 12:00 pm