Syracuse shut out for 2nd straight game in loss to Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech (16-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast) shutout Syracuse (7-11, 0-3) 2-0 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep on the weekend. The offense continued to struggle as the Orange only scored two runs all weekend and was shutout twice.

Jocelyn Cater threw a complete game in the loss, her sixth of the season. She held the Hokies to two runs on four hits, striking out five and walking four.

Syracuse’s best chance to score came in the top of the fourth inning when with runners on second and third and one out, but Sydney O’Hara struck out swinging.

The next batter, Cater, walked after a full count to load the bases with two outs. Annie Toczynski flied out to centerfield to end the inning, stranding three runners on bases.

After escaping from the jam, Virginia Tech scored one run in the bottom of fourth when Lauren Gaskill tripled to left-center, giving the Hokies a 1-0 lead.

The next inning, Virginia Tech’s Kelsey Mericka added an insurance run to the lead on a solo home run, bringing the score to 2-0.

Sammy Fernandez, Maddi Doane, Julie Wambold, O’Hara and Cater all had hits for the Orange in the loss.

Syracuse next plays Tuesday at 5 p.m. against the University of Pennsylvania in Clearwater, Florida.

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