PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 27, 2011) – The Rutgers softball team (10-18, 0-3) fell to Syracuse (24-5, 3-0) by a score of 10-2 Sunday in the final game of a three game series. The Scarlet Knights were led by sophomores Jen Harabedian (Flemington, N.J.) and Kaci Madden (Saratoga, N.Y.),who combined to hit 4-for-6 on the day.

Junior Noelle Sisco (Towaco, N.J.) pitched for the Scarlet Knights, allowing four runs on five hits through 2.1 innings of play. After giving up two singles to lead off the first, the junior settled in, retiring six of the next seven batters and not allowing a ball to be hit out of the infield.

Sophomore Abbey Houston (New Egypt, N.J.) went 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out two. Sisco reentered in the sixth, getting the final two outs. 

The Scarlet Knights took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, as sophomore Ashley Bragg (Middletown, Del.) pushed a single past a diving shortstop. Harabedian dropped a bunt just in front of home plate, beating the throw and putting runners on first and second. After Madden reached on an error by the shortstop, freshman Loren Williams (Los Angeles, Calif.) drove a ball to right field for the sacrifice fly.

Syracuse answered in the top of the fourth with three home runs by Stephanie Watts, Lacey Kohl and Kelly Saco, giving the Orange a 4-1 lead.

Madden blasted a double into left center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. After an error by the third baseman put runners on first and third, Williams and pinch runner Lindsey Curran (Monroe Twp., N.J.) used their speed to implement a double steal and put the Scarlet Knights within two runs.

SU used eight hits to generate six runs in the sixth, including a three RBI double by Hallie Gibbs. Despite back-to-back singles by Harabedian and Madden to lead off the sixth inning, the Scarlet Knights could not put another run on the board.  

Rutgers travels to Hofstra Wednesday, March 30, for a midweek matchup against the Pride at 4 p.m.