Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Syracuse trailed 1-0 to Boston College and had yet to record a hit on the afternoon.

Following a strikeout by Makenzie Foster and a flyout from Kelly Breen to start the half inning, the first hit eventually came from Olivia Pess, who laced a single to right field. As BC’s starting pitcher Abby Dunning threw a wild pitch, Pess moved to second base. But Syracuse’s offense stalled again. Dunning struck out Rebecca Clyde to retire the side and halt SU’s scoring chance.

With just two hits all game, No. 8 seed Syracuse (28-23, 9-16 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell 1-0 to No. 9 seed Boston College (30-23, 10-15 ACC) in the first round of the ACC Tournament. The loss marked the Orange’s elimination from the tournament and likely their last game of the 2024 season.

Syracuse started strong with Lindsey Hendrix in the circle. She retired the side in order for each of the first three innings, keeping hitters off balance with her fastball. But Dunning was equally impressive, shutting down the Orange.

Both teams remained solid in the first three innings defensively as the pitchers shut down the opposing lineups. Yet, Boston College broke through in the top of the fourth inning. BC’s Hannah Slike blasted a double to left field, followed by another double from Nicole Giery, scoring Slike and giving BC a 1-0 lead. Despite Hendrix striking out Gator Robinson, Giery moved to third base on a sacrifice fly from Jordan Stephens. Syracuse avoided further damage in the inning and held BC to just one run.

In the top of the fifth inning, Hendrix got in a jam once again with two runners on and one out. But she worked her way out of it, holding the deficit to just one.

Syracuse encountered another jam in the sixth inning when Stephens singled to left field. Hendrix lost control of her pitches, throwing four straight balls to walk Jules Shields. Jessie DiPasquale then came out of the bullpen to help the Orange get out of the sixth. Following a flyout while the Eagles had two on base, DiPasquale retired Makenna Segal to clear the danger.

In the seventh inning, Syracuse attempted to rally for a late run, with Breen hitting a single to center field. But led by Dunning, BC’s defense held strong, retiring the next two batters and securing a 1-0 victory over Syracuse.

Published on May 8, 2024 at 4:51 pm