Syracuse offense struggles in doubleheader losses to Virginia Tech

Syracuse (7-10, 0-2 Atlantic Coast) dropped a pair of games to Virginia Tech (15-3, 2-2) Saturday afternoon by scores of 10-2 and 2-0 to open up conference play.

The Orange started the scoring in the first game with two quick runs after Sammy Fernandez reached on an error. Corinne Ozanne doubled to left field, bringing Fernandez around to score. A Sydney O’Hara single up the middle scored Ozanne and gave SU an early 2-0 lead.

O’Hara started the game for Syracuse and pitched three innings, allowing six runs, five earned. She recorded three strikeouts, but walked seven. The majority of Virginia Tech’s scoring came in the five-run fourth inning.

Lindsey Larkin came on in relief but was unable to hold the Hokies at bay, allowing four runs, two earned, on six hits.

Jocelyn Cater delivered a solid performance on the mound in the second game to give SU a chance to split the double header. Cater threw six innings, striking out 10 while allowing just one walk and two hits which led to two runs.

Cater held the Hokies scoreless until the sixth inning when she hit the leadoff batter. She recorded the next two outs and was one pitch away from escaping the inning. But the next batter, Kylie McGoldrick belted a two-run home run.

Syracuse was unable to muster any offensive effort in the second game, its lone hit coming on an infield single by Fernandez in the sixth inning.

The Orange next play Sunday at noon in the final game of its three-game series against Virginia Tech.

Compiled by Liam Sullivan, staff writer, lpsull01@syr.edu