Softball Storms Past Bucknell, Syracuse on Final Day of Kickin’ Chicken Classic

Sunday, February 11

Conway, SC

9:00 AM

George Washington University

2-2

Bucknell

2-3

George Washington

Bucknell

Softball Storms Past Bucknell, Syracuse on Final Day of Kickin’ Chicken Classic

2/11/2024 2:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CONWAY, S.C. - The George Washington softball team wrapped up opening weekend with a pair of wins on Sunday against Bucknell and Syracuse. GW beat Bucknell, 5-1, before holding on in a tight weekend finale vs. Syracuse, 6-5. The Revolutionaries finished Opening Weekend with a 3-2 record, with wins over Campbell and Syracuse, a split with Bucknell and a setback to Coastal Carolina.

GAME 1 (GW 5, BUCKNELL 1)
The Buff & Blue came out eager on Sunday morning to even the season series against Bucknell after falling to the Bison on Opening Day. A three-run top of the first inning ended up being all GW would need to emerge with the win, as the Revolutionaries downed Bucknell, 5-1.

GW got two aboard early with Maggie Greco and Allison Heffley walking to start the game, which allowed Ashley Corpuz to open the scoring with an RBI double. That left runners on second and third with Mandy Lauth at the plate, who completed her weekend-cycle with a two-run triple.

In the fourth, GW added insurance in the form of a Heffley RBI double and Rylee Brice sac-fly. The Revolutionaries nearly blew the lead open in the fifth inning with a bases-loaded opportunity, but weren't able to convert.

First-year pitcher/utility Cece Smith earned her second career win in as many starts. Smith went the distance and struck out seven in the one run effort.

Heffley had a game to remember at the plate, reaching base in all four of her plate appearances with two doubles, two walks, one RBI and one run scored. Heffley's doubles were part of an 11-6 advantage in hits for the Revolutionaries.

GAME 2 (GW 6, SYRACUSE 5)
Lauth went 3-3 with four RBI and one run in another dominant offensive effort to boost GW over Syracuse, 6-5.

GW found themselves in a close contest, up 3-2 on the Orange, in the fourth inning and with the bases loaded. A magnet for the big moment on Opening Weekend, it was Lauth's turn again and she hit a bases-clearing single to open up a four-run cushion for GW.

Syracuse made things interesting and cut the gap to one with a run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh inning, but in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and only one out, Smith closed the door to finish off GW's weekend.

Sophia Torreso got the win for GW and went 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with one strikeout.

Cadence Gilliland and Greco had GW's other RBI - Gilliland's coming on a single to center in the second, and Greco's on a sac-bunt in the fourth.

NOTABLE

In Lauth's first five college games, she hit 8-17 (.471) with nine RBI, one home run, one triple, one double and two runs scored. Lauth's triple vs. Bucknell was the first of her career and the first for GW this season.
Torreso earned her first career win vs. Syracuse.
Heffley passed the 100 career hit mark on Sunday vs. Bucknell. She finished the weekend 5-14 (.357), with three doubles, four walks, three runs and one RBI.
Through five games, Corpuz is 6-14 (.429) with three doubles, three runs, two walks and one RBI.
GW beat its first "Power Five" opponent since March 1, 2019, in a 5-2 win over Maryland.
Gilliland knocked in the first run of her career vs. Syracuse.
Smith pitched her second career complete game against Bucknell.