Syracuse softball can’t match Clemson’s batting

Syracuse softball entered Sunday hoping to pull off two wins in their series against No. 17 Clemson Tigers. That did not happen, as the Tigers roared early in game one.

From the first pitch it was all Clemson. The first four batters reached bases on two hit-by-pitches and two walks, forcing Syracuse to pull starter Britney Lewinski after only 20 pitches.

Lindsey Garcia had the big hit for the visitors in the first with a two-run single. She later hit a two-run homer to put Clemson up 7-1 in the third.

McKenzie Clark, who went 2 for 3 with four RBI’s and two runs on the day, hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth to put the game away 10-1.

The Orange went quietly in the bottom of the inning and the game was called due to the run-ahead rule. Syracuse’s lone run came on an RBI single by sophomore infielder Vanessa Flores.

The second game started the same, as Syracuse starter Madison Knight gave up a two-run homer to Clemson’s Julia Knowler. Then, in the second Arielle Oda and Maddie Moore each had RBI singles to extend the Tigers lead to four.

In a highlight for Syracuse, center fielder Angel Jasso made the play of the year. She robbed a potential two run home run to end the third inning.

Still, Clemson was able to add three more runs in the sixth to put the game away 7-1.

Up next, Syracuse faces Colgate in a doubleheader at Skytop Softball Stadium on Wednesday. The first pitch is at 2 p.m.

Fair projected to go top-10

ESPN’s most recent WNBA mock draft has Syracuse women’s basketball guard Dyaisha Fair going No. 10 to the Connecticut Sun.

Fair played five years in college, including her last two with the Orange. The guard is third all-time in women’s college basketball history with 3403 points.

Fair helped lead the Orange to a six-seed in this year’s March Madness tournament, where Syracuse lost to the final-four-finishing UConn Huskies. 

The WNBA Draft is on Monday, April 15. 

Mintz declares for the NBA Draft

After two years with Syracuse, sophomore guard Judah Mintz declared for the NBA Draft, reports from Syracuse.com indicate.

Mintz averaged 18.8 points and 4.4 assists per game for the Orange and was a second-team All-ACC selection, passing the 1000-point mark in the process. 

Mintz has now declared for the draft two straight years. He has until May 29 to remove his name from the draft and keep his college eligibility.  

Syracuse has just four guards on the roster for next season: J.J. Starling, Kyle Cuffe Jr., Chance Westry and Elijah Moore. 

Syracuse tennis dominates on Senior Day

Syracuse women’s tennis swept Louisville on Senior Day, 7-0, at Drumlins Country Club on Sunday.

The team put out a dominant, balanced effort to pull out the victory, winning every match and many resoundingly. 

The team’s regular season is over. Now, they await the ACC Tournament, which will be held in Cary, North Carolina, on April 17.