The Syracuse University softball team used the long ball in one big inning and a dominant performance in the circle from freshman starter Sydney O’Hara to hand Elon University a 5-0 loss at Hunt Softball Park March 11.
After three scoreless innings, the Orange plated four runs in the top of the fourth inning.
With one out, freshman catcher Nicole Lundstrom singled to right, and junior second baseman Julie Wambold drew a walk. Two batters later, sophomore shortstop Corinne Ozanne pounded the first pitch she saw over the scoreboard just left of straightaway center for a long three-run home run.
The next batter, sophomore third baseman Danielle Chitkowski, lofted a sky-scraping fly ball over the wall in left to increase the Orange lead to 4-0.
It was the only black mark on what was otherwise a solid outing from Phoenix junior starter Chelsea White (7-4), who lasted 3 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on just three hits, walking one and fanning six against a power-conference foe.
“I thought she did a great job against an ACC team,” Elon head coach Kathy Bocock said. “She had one of those tough innings but overall she kept them off-balance. But when you miss a few spots like she did, they’re going to make contact.”
The Orange would add another on a third home run, this one to right, from center fielder Shirley Daniels off Elon junior reliever Caitlin O’Shea, who had otherwise stemmed the Orange’s momentum in surrendering just one run on four hits and walking two in 3 1/3 innings.
The five runs were more than enough for O’Hara, who surrendered just six hits and struck out 10 in a dominant complete game shutout, picking up her fourth win of the season.
“We’ve faced a lot of good pitchers before, but (O’Hara) was throwing hard, really hard,” senior second baseman Lauren Oldham said. “The first time through the order we were just trying to time her and I think we all found the timing. We just couldn’t get anything going.”
Bocock knew the Syracuse starter would present a challenge to her hitters, but was proud of the way her team battled at the plate and pointed to a couple of instances where the Phoenix could have scored had they had better luck.
“We’re starting to play better teams with good pitchers,” Bocock said. “A couple of our hits could have pushed some runs home but we couldn’t find a hole for them.” The loss drops the Phoenix to 15-6-1, while the Orange improve to 6-13 overall.
Elon will hit the road for a three game set against Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., in the team’s first conference games of the season.
Tonight’s loss, to Oldham, was important in bringing the Phoenix back to earth following a seven game winning streak.
“It’s a good thing we’re not going into conference play on a win streak,” Oldham said. “Now we have a loss on our minds and we’re hungry for wins. We want to get back on track. Hopefully this loss will play in our favor.”
The first game of a doubleheader March 15 will begin at 1 p.m.