Syracuse junior Danielle Chitkowski hit a grand slam and junior pitcher Jocelyn Cater went the distance and struck out eight to help lead the visiting Orange to a 9-1, five-inning victory over Canisius Thursday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The win improves Syracuse to 15-19 on the season, while the Golden Griffins fell to 14-11 with the loss.
The Orange got on the board first in the top of the second on a solo home run by senior Julie Wambold, and the Orange jumped to a 5-0 lead in the third after Chitkowski hit her second home run of the season to straight-away center to clear the bases. Syracuse tacked on three runs in the fourth and plated a single run in the fifth to take a 9-0 lead. Canisius scored in the home-half of the fifth when sophomore Jessica Berzins, who started the frame off with a triple to left-center, scored on a wild pitch. The Griffs had two runners on with two outs in the fifth when freshman Moriah Harris singled to right, but the game ended on that play after junior Alexis Roman was gunned down at the plate on a throw from right fielder Maddi Doane.
Cater earned her 11th win of the season in the circle after she allowed four hits and struck out eight. Canisius freshman Madi Weathers took the loss after she allowed five runs on four hits to go with two strikeouts and two walks.
Canisius will return to action Saturday, April 11, when the team plays host to Quinnipiac. That MAAC doubleheader is set to begin at 5 p.m., at the Demske Sports Complex.
Game Notes: Syracuse now leads the all-time series with Canisius by a 12-6 count… The triple by Berzins in the fifth inning was her first of the season and the second in her career… Canisius has 12 triples this season after collecting seven all of last season… Canisius senior Michelle DelPrince broke up Cater's no-hit bid in the third with a double, her first double of the season… Harris extended her hitting streak to five-straight games with her base hit in the fifth.
