Syracuse Edges Louisville 1-0 in BIG EAST Conference Finals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior Tori Collins struck out 10 and surrendered only one run, but the University of Louisville softball team could not push a run across against BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year Jenna Caira as Syracuse edged the Cards 1-0 in the finals of the BIG EAST Conference Championship.  Louisville (36-18) will learn if it receives its eighth consecutive NCAA bid when the selections are announced Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

“Tori did a good job, and certainly our defense came up strong,” said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall “We had our chances with runners in scoring position, but we couldn’t hit the ball out of the infield - and that was the difference. Today’s crowd was great, I can’t thank the fans enough, they came out and gave us great support. We’re just really disappointed that we couldn’t get the win.”

This marks the second straight season the Orange have beaten the Cards by one run in the title game.

Syracuse got on the scoreboard in the third when Kelly Saco delivered a leadoff double, moved to third on Morgan Nandin’s sacrifice bunt. Maggie Ruckenbrod fired a strike to second baseman Katie Keller and Saco was initially called out, but the ruling was overturned when the Syracuse coaching staff argued that Keller did not have control of the ball on the tag out. The ruling was beneficial for the Orange as Stephanie Watts followed with an RBI single for the only run of the game. Watts stole second and attempted to score on Lisaira Daniel’s base hit, but Cardinal centerfielder Kristin Austin rifled a throw to catcher Maggie Ruckenbrod to get her out at the plate for the third out of the inning.

The Cards had a chance to score in the fourth when Maggie Ruckenbrod connected on a one-out hit and took second on an error. Pinch runner Chelsea Jordan moved to third on Kristin Austin’s bunt single. Jordan crossed the plate to seemingly tie the game when Taner Fowler on an error, but had to return to third when Fowler was called out on runner’s interference. Caira retired the next batter to end the inning.

The Orange threatened to score again in the fifth when Nandin delivered a one-out double and tried to score on Daniels’ two-out single to centerfield. For the second time in the game, Austin combined with Ruckenbrod to cut down a runner at the plate and keep the score at 1-0.

Collins retired the next six batters to keep Louisville in the game. The Cards continued to battle offensively. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Esteban registered a single and moved around to third when Chelsea Bemis reached on a third strike wild pitch. An error put the tying run on third, but Caira got Alicja Wolny to ground out to end the game.

Collins (16-10) took the loss, scattering five hits and fanning nine in the complete game effort. Austin was 2-for-3 while Esteban finished 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Collins, Wherry, Bemis and Ruckenbrod were named to the All-BIG EAST Tournament team.

Caira (34-9) – the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player - got the win, striking out four and giving up six hits in the complete game shutout. Caira, Daniels, Saco and Nandin also earned All-Tournament honors. Syracuse (44-11) earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

BIG EAST Championship Awards

Most Outstanding Player

Jenna Caira, Syracuse, RHP

All-Tournament Team

Justine Stratton, Providence, SS

Lynsey Ciezki, DePaul, 3B

Sadie Pitzenberger, Notre Dame, RF

Jenna Caira, Syracuse, RHP

Tori Collins, Louisville, LHP

Lisaira Daniels, Syracuse, RF

Colby Wherry, Louisville, SS

Kelly Saco, Syracuse, 1B

Chelsea Bemis, Louisville, 3B

Stephanie Watts, Syracuse, 2B

Maggie Ruckenbrod, Louisville, C

Morgan Nandin, Syracuse, SS