Despite taking a three-run lead into the seventh inning, Syracuse (17-26, 1-13 Atlantic Coast) fell 6-4 to Hofstra (26-11-1, 11-3 Colonial Athletic) in eight innings in Hempstead, New York.

Both teams were held scoreless until the fifth inning when each scored a run. SU left fielder Annie Toczynski opened the scoring with a solo blast to left field.

In the sixth inning, Julie Wambold stepped to the plate with runners on second and third and promptly singled up the middle, scoring one. After a groundout, designated player Rachel Burkhardt singled down the right-field line, scoring two more.

Sydney O’Hara replaced Jocelyn Cater on the mound to start the seventh, holding a 4-1 lead. But O’Hara managed to get only one out while allowing two hits and two walks, including a two-run home run.

Cater came back into the game with runners on first and second and walked the first batter, loading the bases. After designated player Megan Patierno fouled out, Cater walked first baseman Brittany Allocca to tie the game.

Cater struck out the next batter for her 11th punch-out of the game, sending the game into extra innings. Corinne Ozanne led off by getting hit by a pitch, but the next three Orange batters were retired.

After Cater got the first out of the bottom half of the eighth, left fielder Chloe Fitzgerald singled. Center fielder Caryn Bailey followed three pitches later with a walk-off home run to left.

In all, Cater allowed three runs, seven hits and six walks in seven innings. Though SU tallied seven hits for the game, only five Orange batters reached base in the game.

Syracuse returns home for its final games of the season with a three-game set against Virginia (15-36, 4-17 ACC), beginning with a doubleheader on April 25.

Published on April 21, 2015 at 7:40 pm