Syracuse (15-8, 1-2 Atlantic Coast) beat Gardner-Webb (7-16) twice in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, by allowing only two runs in each game, winning 5-2 and 6-2, respectively.

Left-handed pitcher Alexa Romero started the first game for the Orange, going six innings and picking up the win. SU closer Sydney O’Hara came in and finished off the game, striking out two and earning the save.

Shortstop Sammy Fernandez and center fielder Toni Martin co-led the Orange in RBI, driving in two apiece. Olivia Martinez drove in the other Syracuse run after reaching on an error by the Bulldogs’ second baseman.

Junior right-hander AnnaMarie Gatti began the second game of the double header in the circle for the Orange.

SU picked up four of its six runs in the first two innings. Gatti gave up only two runs over her five innings pitched, allowing O’Hara to come in and finish out the final two innings, earning her second save of the day.

The senior regained the ACC saves lead, picking up two to bring her season total to six. In three innings, she struck out eight of the nine batters she faced and didn’t allow anyone to reach base.

Both Orange starters picked up her fifth wins of the season, with identical 5-3 records on the year.  The game brought Romero’s season ERA to 2.35 and Gatti’s to 2.54.

The Orange returns to conference play this weekend for a three-game series against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Published on March 14, 2017 at 8:50 pm

Contact Michael: mmcclear@syr.edu | @MikeJMcCleary