Syracuse falls to Maine, Toledo to start off USF Michele Smith Tournament in Florida

Syracuse (9-14, 0-3 Atlantic Coast) dropped two games to open the USF Michele Smith Tournament on Friday with losses to Maine (11-11) and Toledo (10-12) in Clearwater, Florida.

Sydney O’Hara struggled in SU’s first game, giving up four runs in three-plus innings of work. In the third, O’Hara struck out the leadoff hitter before allowing a walk, followed by a triple and single to score two runs.

After getting three straight outs, O’Hara allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in the fourth. Maine catcher Janelle Bouchard followed with a home run to make the score 4-0 and end O’Hara’s day on the mound.

Pitcher Lindsey Larkin didn’t allow a run to score despite yielding four hits in the rest of the game, but the SU offense was stagnant all day. The Orange managed only three hits against pitcher Alexis Bogdanovich, who struck out 16 of the 25 batters she faced.

SU’s second game was a pitcher’s duel, as Jocelyn Cater didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning.

Toledo pitcher Emily Anderson held SU to three hits and no runs in seven innings. Syracuse’s best chance came in the third inning, when infielder Danielle Chitkowski led off with a single.

After a fielder’s choice and a steal, center fielder Maddi Doane singled to send shortstop Sammy Fernandez to third. Anderson walked Corinne Ozanne to load the bases with two outs, but catcher Julie Wambold popped up to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, outfielder Ashley Rausch singled to break up Cater’s no hitter. She advanced on a bunt before scoring on a Celeste Fidge single. The Rockets took a 2-0 lead on a fielder’s choice.

Syracuse’s only life in the seventh was a Fernandez single before Doane flied out to end the game.

The Orange plays two more contests in the USF Michele Smith Tournament on Saturday, starting with Harford (1-11) at 4:15 p.m. before Chattanooga (14-6) at 6:30 p.m.

Compiled by Jack Rose, staff writer, jlrose@syr.edu.