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For Syracuse, taking down No. 17 Clemson, one of the best offenses in the nation, in its weekend series from April 6-7 was a tall task. Despite ultimately losing the series by a combined score of 30-4, the Tigers only had one more hit than the Orange in three games.

“This weekend we lacked confidence knowing that we were playing a ranked team,” Madison Knight said after the series against the Tigers. “If we can get better at staying confident I think we will be a lot better.”

In 2024, Syracuse has shown bursts of offensive success, yet it hasn’t been consistent. In SU’s limited success, outfielder Angel Jasso has been the spark plug. Jasso continued to be a reliable source of offense in Syracuse’s (21-20, 5-13 Atlantic Coast Conference) most recent series against Pittsburgh (15-29, 6-15 ACC) as she tallied nine hits, four runs and three RBIs.

Entering the weekend series, the Orange held the 10th and final spot in the ACC Tournament. With Pitt one spot below, the series had major postseason implications.

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After a scoreless first two innings in game one, Jasso gave SU’s offense life. She laced a base hit into the center-field gap on the first pitch she saw. Madelyn Lopez and Taylor Posner then registered back-to-back singles to score Jasso and give Syracuse a 1-0 lead.

The Panthers responded with runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 2-1 advantage but once again, Jasso kickstarted SU’s offense.

Her leadoff single in the fifth inning put her on base and then Lopez bunted. Using her speed, Jasso gambled and ran from first to third. Desirae Martinez tagged her before she reached the base, but she stood in the baseline, so Jasso was ruled safe. Jasso reached home to tie the game at 2-2 following an error. Laila Morales-Alves then roped a single into left field that sent Posner home to put the Orange in front 3-2.

Though Syracuse surrendered six straight runs and fell 8-3, Jasso’s bat was a bright spot. She registered her second career four-hit game, helping SU match Pitt’s hit total (10).

“I knew going into Pitt that they are lower (ranked) in the ACC,” Jasso said. “So my mentality was just to attack their pitchers because I know that I am a better hitter.”

In game two, Jasso again recorded Syracuse’s first hit with a single up the middle. Posner tacked on a single, moving Jasso to third before she scored off a sacrifice fly from Kelly Breen. Rebecca Flores then notched her first career home run to grow the lead to 3-0.

After a quiet bottom of the frame for Pitt, Syracuse continued to pour it on. The Orange tallied five runs on six hits in the second inning with contributions from across their lineup. Syracuse easily maintained its lead and defeated Pittsburgh 12-3. SU’s 16 hits on the day marked its most in an ACC contest since April 16, 2014, against Boston College.

But in game three, Pittsburgh jumped on Syracuse early. Six first-inning hits — four of which were home runs — helped the Panthers build a 6-0 lead. The sequence prematurely ended Jessie DiPasquale’s day in the pitching circle for the Orange.

“I don’t think you can really know that they (Pittsburgh) are going to come out blazing,” Jasso said. “But I think the bounce back and how we respond is what’s going to be beneficial for our team.”

While the Orange responded with five runs, including two RBIs from Jasso, they couldn’t get out of the early hole and fell 7-5 in their final game of the series.

Despite losing the series to Pittsburgh, Jasso’s offensive boost kept Syracuse within striking distance of the Panthers for the majority of the weekend. Now on the outside looking in for the ACC Tournament, Jasso’s bat can play a crucial role down the stretch for SU in its postseason quest.

“I know that everyone looks to me, so if I can stay confident in myself I know that people around me feed off of that,” Jasso said.

Published on April 23, 2024 at 11:51 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu