Staff Reports

It took a grand play to snap the Syracuse softball team out of its recent slump.Junior Julie Dunn provided just that, belting a grand slam to lead SU to a 12-3 victory over Cornell in the second game of a doubleheader played in Ithaca. The win stopped Syracuse’s three-game losing streak.After SU dropped the first game, 3-0, the Orangewomen seemed destined to remain locked in their recent batting slump. But Dunn removed all such speculation by belting the first grand slam in SU history in the first inning of the nightcap. Dunn’s homer capped Syracuse’s five-run first inning, which included a double from catcher Katie Kaempfer.Pitcher Tara DiMaggio got the win for the Orangewomen to improve to 8-6. She tossed a complete game, striking out nine while surrendering six hits.In the first game, Cornell put Syracuse on its heels early when Lauren May clouted a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. Cornell added a run in the third, but Big Red pitcher Sarah Sterman already had all the run support she needed.Sterman hurled a complete game, allowing three hits. SU pitcher Heather Brown fanned 10 Cornell hitters in a losing effort.Syracuse visits another non-conference opponent this afternoon when it visits Loudonville for a doubleheader against Siena at 4 p.m.

FootballIn an effort to boost attendance, Syracuse announced Tuesday several new initiatives, including less expensive football season tickets and a new cheering section in the Carrier Dome.SU Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel introduced a new $99 season ticket available in the upper rows of the third level behind the east end zone. Regular adult season tickets for the 2002 campaign are $140, with youth tickets available for $50.Crouthamel also unveiled a new “O-Zone” fan section behind the east end zone on the first level. For $140, fans interested in standing and cheering can purchase a season ticket in the “O-Zone” section.The announcements come after a season in which the Orangemen drew an average of 41,103 fans, almost 9,000 short of capacity.

Compiled by Asst. Sports Editor Pete Iorizzo