SB | Weekend sweep pushes SU into Big East tournament

By: Didier Morais

Posted: 4/29/08

Going into the weekend, the Syracuse softball team knew it needed either two victories or a Villanova loss to secure a spot in the Big East tournament.

The Orange didn't need help. SU swept Pittsburgh and took care of business on its own.

"We knew that we needed two (wins)," Syracuse head coach Leigh Ross said. "It was us and Villanova, and we needed two to get in there. I like how we took care of our own business and just won two and didn't rely on a team to lose for us to get in. It's a little sweeter when you do it that way."

With its postseason fate determined, the Orange welcomes Buffalo to the Syracuse Softball Stadium Wednesday for a 1 p.m. start. SU puts the finishing touches on its regular-season schedule with Big East games against No. 23 DePaul Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Notre Dame Sunday at noon.

The Orange (20-26, 11-7) swept conference rival Pittsburgh, 5-3 and 2-1, Saturday en route to clinching its fourth consecutive Big East tournament berth.

Lindsay Wasek led the way in the opener, drilling a two-run home run in the fourth to overcome a 3-1 deficit and revitalize her dejected teammates.

"Pitt scored all their runs off of our errors," Ross said. "And I thought to myself, 'Oh no, I hope we aren't going that way again.' But once (Wasek) hit that home run, you could feel the energy all the way down the bench. Everybody was like, 'This is going our way, and they won't take it away from us.'"

After regaining focus, the Orange jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the second game. This time around, key pitching played the decisive role in the game's final outcome.

Receiving little run support, pitcher Chanel Roehner was nothing short of spectacular, throwing a complete-game four-hitter. At one point between the third and sixth inning, she retired 10 consecutive batters. In the bottom of the seventh, Roehner struck out senior outfielder Rebecca Stottlemyer to end the game and solidify Syracuse's place in the Big East tournament.

"It was probably one of the happiest days I've seen from this team," Ross said. "I mean, they were excited at the end of the game. They worked together, and that was the big thing."

After overcoming one obstacle, the Orange has now focused its attention to this week's demanding schedule. It will face two of the conference's paramount programs in DePaul and Notre Dame.

Ross views the showdown as a scouting opportunity. It is very probable SU will be seeded against either team in the Big East tournament, so Ross will be analyzing opposing strategies and player techniques all week.

"The biggest thing for us this week is that we're going to face those two teams in the Big East tournament," Ross said. "We don't know who we're going to draw yet, but they will definitely be there. So it may be an opportunity to see them twice."

But in reality, Ross has been preparing for this week since the offseason. Last year, the Blue Demons and the Fighting Irish both demolished Syracuse, winning three of four games by seven runs or more. Now, Ross is seeking revenge. She is eager to showcase her revamped lineup and make a statement in the Big East.

"We struggled with both teams last year," Ross said. "This year it's in our hands. We are playing pretty well as a team. If we just have no errors, pitchers throw well and then let's get some hits all the way down the line."

In addition, Ross said the parity throughout the Big East bodes well for Syracuse's chances this week. Throughout the season, numerous underdogs have upset the top tier teams in the Big East, including DePaul and Notre Dame.

"Things have been crazy," Ross said. "We've had some teams like Seton Hall beat DePaul early on in the season. Notre Dame dropped a few games to a couple teams that they shouldn't have, so I feel like the Big East is spread evenly, and we have a shot."

dsmorais@syr.edu