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Syracuse recorded just two hits on Sunday after splitting Saturday’s doubleheader, dropping its second straight game to North Carolina, 4-2. A two-run lead through four innings was quickly spoiled by the Tar Heels, who scored three runs off  Kaia Oliver.

The first of Syracuse’s (2-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast) two hits came in the second inning, when the Orange jumped out to a 2-0 lead. A Neli Casares-Maher single and help from a Destiny Middleton error allowed Calista Armer to safely reach first base, giving Syracuse two runners on base with just one out.

Armer and Casares-Maher stole second and third base, respectively, putting them in a promising scoring position. Carli Campbell beat out a fielder’s choice at first, giving Casares-Maher an uncontested run to home plate. Armer, who took over third base after the run, scored Syracuse’s final run on a Gabby Teran groundout to second.

Alexa Romero started her second consecutive game Sunday after recording 10 outs and giving up two runs through 3 1/3 innings in Saturday afternoon’s 4-0 loss to UNC (4-1, 4-1). Romero was pulled from the mound once again after 10 outs off 12 batters on Sunday. Romero had also surrendered two hits and no runs before exiting the game.

Oliver, who pitched all nine innings in the Orange’s first game on Saturday, replaced Romero in the fourth inning of Sunday’s game. With Kristina Burkhardt already on first, Oliver immediately hit Taylor Greene with a pitch, leaving UNC with two runners on base and one out.

Kiersten Licea hit a game-tying double and scored the team’s game-winning run off of a Lexi Godwin sacrifice fly. The Tar Heels secured its insurance run just an inning later, solidifying their 4-2 lead.

Oliver hit two more batters and gave up four hits — the same amount she gave up in her nine-inning collegiate debut Saturday morning.

The Orange recorded only one more single in the fourth inning from Armer and relied on UNC’s errors to get on base.

The Orange’s inability to generate offense proved to be the difference in the series finale with UNC. Syracuse leaves Chapel Hill with a 2-2 record following the ACC Pod Play series. The Orange return to action in the Winthrop Garnet/Gold Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Published on February 21, 2021 at 1:15 pm

Contact Alex: ahcirino@syr.edu