SYRACUSE, N.Y.  – The Rutgers softball team (23-33, 6-18 BIG EAST) closed out its 2009 season, winning the back end of a BIG EAST doubleheader with Syracuse (30-20, 12-10 BIG EAST) on Sunday, May 3, at the SU Softball Stadium. The Scarlet Knights defeated the Orange 4-2 in game two, but fell 3-2 in the opening game.

Rutgers got out to a one-run lead in the second inning thanks to an RBI-double from freshman Brittney Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.). Sophomore Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) reached on a fielder’s choice and later scored from first on a ball drilled to left-center by Lindley.

The Scarlet Knights added to their total with another run in the fourth as Craig once again helped provide the scoring run. Craig and Lindley were hit by a pitch in their respective at-bats to put a pair of runners on for RU.

Freshman Lindsay Curran (Monroe Twp., N.J.) entered the game to pinch run for Craig at second base before scoring on a single through the left side by senior Amanda Heller (Belle Mead, N.J.) as Rutgers went ahead 2-0.

Syracuse threatened the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out rally as the Orange loaded the bases but freshman pitcher Holly Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.) worked her way out of the jam with a strikeout to end the inning.

The Orange cut into the Scarlet Knight lead with a solo home run by Jamie Kelling to make it 2-1 in RU’s favor.

Rutgers’ one-run advantage would not last for long as Syracuse reversed its fortunes in the bottom of the seventh with a game-winning double to left center. The leadoff batter singled to center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Orange put another runner on with a walk to occupy first and second base.

SU’s Hallie Gibbs then drove a pitch to left-center, scoring both runners for the 3-2 victory in game one.

In game two, Syracuse struck first with a run in the first inning on back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases. Amy Kelley followed with a sac fly to left field, plating Stephanie Watts from third for the 1-0 lead.

The Scarlet Knights tied things in the top of the fourth with an RBI-sacrifice fly of its own. RU loaded the bases on a Craig single, followed by Lindley who reached on an error and a walk to Heller. Senior Kim Hodges (Houston, Texas) sent a ball deep to right field as Curran, who pinch ran for Craig, tagged up and scored to make it 1-1.

Rutgers took over the lead in the next inning as senior Amanda Shaw (Yorba Linda, Calif.) singled through the left side and advanced to second on a groundout by the next batter. Senior Kate Valiante (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) picked up her second hit of the game as her single dropped in front of the left fielder to score Shaw from second and give the Scarlet Knights a 2-1 advantage.

The seesaw battle continued in the bottom of the frame as Syracuse tied the ball game on a pair of errors in the Rutgers infield. The miscues allowed a run to score to make it 2-2 on the scoreboard.

The Scarlet Knights broke things open in the following inning with two runs to take a 4-2 lead. Craig and Lindley started off the sixth with back-to-back singles for runners on first and second. Heller then lifted a pitch to right field, scoring Craig from second for the first run.

The Orange right fielder bobbled the ball while fielding it, allowing Lindley to advance to third and Heller moved to second on the same play. Two at-bats later, Lindley was nearly caught in a rundown between third and home, but Syracuse was unable to pick her off as she touched the plate for the fourth run, putting Rutgers ahead 4-2.

Syracuse put together another come-back bid in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded. The Orange’s Nicole Miller sent a shot to deep left field but Heller retreated back to the warning track to record the final out and end the game.

Senior pitcher Chrissy Yard (Hillsborough, N.J.) picked up the win in her final collegiate start. Sunday’s contest was also the last game for several other players who wore the Scarlet Knight uniform for their final time. Valiante, Hodges, Shaw and Heller were among a eight-member senior class that also included Sarah Kalka (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Brittany Loisel (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Carissa Conroy (Richmond, Va.).