Syracuse split a midweek doubleheader at Maryland, winning the first and losing the second game.

They were the Orange’s first two games in over a week after the cancellation of a three-game home series against Notre Dame this past weekend due to unplayable field conditions.

The Orange (13-16, 6-5 Atlantic Coast) defeated the Terrapins (3-25, 2-6) in game one 9-4. Maryland led 3-1 through four innings before Syracuse scored eight consecutive runs in the fifth and sixth innings. SU dropped the second game 7-6.

In the first game, Senior Jasmine Watson broke a school record with her 39th career home run. The grand slam in the sixth inning broke the game open and pushed Syracuse’s lead to six. Watson drove in Corinne Ozanne, Nicole Lundstrom and Alyssa Dewes.

Freshman Sydney O’Hara pitched a complete game, allowing four runs on five hits. It was the seventh time this season that O’Hara has gone the distance.

Watson’s four-RBI performance led the way as Julie Wambold had three RBI and Lundstrom knocked in two runs.

Lundstrom scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, going 2-for-2 with two walks. Wambold went 2-for-4 and was the only other player with multiple hits for Syracuse. Dewes and Mary Dombrowski each scored two runs in the win.

In game two, SU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a double by Dewes, scoring Danielle Chitkowski and O’Hara. Maryland then answered with six runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Once again, Watson delivered, this time with a three-run home run in the top of the third to cut the lead to one.

The score remained 6-5 until Maryland scored one run, which would prove to be the difference in the ballgame.

In the top of the seventh Watson singled and pinch runner Kristina Kinsey scored from second to bring SU within one run. Maryland didn’t allow any more runs to score and closed out the game.

Watson went 2-for-4 in game two and Daniels went 2-for-3.

O’Hara started game two for Syracuse but was moved from pitcher to designated player after two innings. O’Hara gave up six runs, three earned, on four hits. She struck out one and walked three. O’Hara received the losing decision and her record fell to 10-6 on the season.

Sophomore Lindsey Larkin came on in relief, allowing one run in four innings on three hits.

SU committed four errors in the game, two in the second inning, leading to Maryland’s offensive spurt.

The Orange is set to play a three-game series against North Carolina State this upcoming weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday and the final game on Sunday. It is Syracuse’s home opener.

compiled by Paul Schwedelson, contributing writer, pmschwed@syr.edu

Published on April 3, 2014 at 1:30 am