The Bulldogs had an error in their first inning that led to the opening run, but they were able to overcome these mistakes with their high-powered offense and win the game 14-2 in five innings over the Syracuse Orange.
The Bulldogs started the game off trailing, after third basemen Alyssa DiCarlo’s errant throw to first base allowed Syracuse second baseman Alica Hansen to get on base. Next Brittany Gray hit first basemen Sydney O’Hara with a pitch and gave up a double to Faith Cain. Hansen came into score. However, Bulldogs’ right fielder Sydni Emanuel was able to prevent another run from scoring as she threw out O’Hara at the plate.
DiCarlo made up for her mistakes in the bottom of the first as she hit a two-run home run, which put the Bulldogs out in front. However, Syracuse would equalize quickly in the top of the second, which started with a triple from third basemen Hannah Dossett. Dossett was eventually driven in by a sac fly to left field.
The Bulldogs had a big inning in the third and this offensive explosion was started by catcher Maeve McGuire’s leadoff triple. McGuire would eventually score off an error by Syracuse shortstop Sammy Fernandez, which also allowed Alyssa DiCarlo to reach base safely. Tyra Holiday was brought in to pinch run for DiCarlo and Syracuse pitcher put another runner on base after walking first baseman Lacey Sumerlin.
Both Sumerlin and Holiday would come in to score off of designated player Alysen Febrey’s double. This would mark the end of the day for Syracuse starting pitcher Annamarie Gatti as the Orange brought in a new pitcher in Baylee Douglass.
Douglass immediately struggled against the Bulldogs’ offense as she gave up a double, single, and a walk to the first three batters she faced. She was not able to get her first out until she allowed two more runners to score. Douglass got two quick outs and seemed to find her groove, but after that walked two batters straight and this loaded the bases.
With the bases loaded, Douglass threw a wild pitch which advanced all the runners and added another run to the Bulldogs’ total. Douglass would finish that at-bat with another walk and she loaded the bases up again. However, she was able to get the third out before letting of those runners score, but the damage had already done as the Bulldogs had a seven-run inning.
The Bulldogs would add five more runs in the bottom of the fourth, which start with Sydni Emanuel knocked in Cortni Emanuel and Ciara Bryan with a two-out single. With runners on first and second, Alyssa DiCarlo went on to hit her second homerun of the game and this brought the Bulldogs lead to 14-2.
After the second inning, Bulldogs’ pitcher Brittany Gray got into a rhythm and shut down the Syracuse offense. Gray did not allow a run or even a hit in the third, fourth, and fifth inning. Gray’s fourth inning was her most dominant as she struck out the side in order. Gray earned the victory while only allowing one hit, one earned run, and striking out five batters. This marked Gray’s second victory on the season.
The Bulldogs will look to finish off the weekend with a perfect record as they will face the East Carolina Pirates on Sunday at 1 p.m., a team they beat 9-1 on Saturday.