SYRACUSE, N.Y. (April 22, 2012) – Rutgers softball played tough against Syracuse as two of the top pitchers in the BIG EAST took the circle in the series rubber match at SU Softball Stadium on Sunday, but a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning ended a scoreless affair giving the Orange a 1-0 win, despite an outstanding effort from starting pitcher Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.).

Landrith took some time to warm up in the bottom of the first, hitting back-to-back batters and walking a third to load the bases before recording two-straight outs to get out of the jam. Landrith settled down after the first, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a two-out double from senior outfielder Lisaira Daniels.

Landrith allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the sixth inning, but was able to escape the inning spotless after recording two of her five strikeouts on the day.

Rutgers (22-24, 9-10 BIG EAST) responded in the top of the seventh with its first threat of the game. Junior second baseman Jennifer Harabedian (Flemington, N.J.) reached on the first error of the game and advanced on a groundout from freshman outfielder Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.). With two outs Harabedian reached third on a wild pitch but a SU starter Jenna Caira was able to get out of the jam with her 13th strikeout of the afternoon.

Syracuse (34-11, 11-3 BIG EAST) senior first baseman Kelly Saco stepped up to lead off the bottom of the seventh with the walk-off home run, taking the 1-0 win for the series victory.

Landrith (16-9) ended the contest with the lone earned run on three hits, while Caira recorded the no-hitter.

The Orange takes the all-time advantage to 20-5-1 after taking two-of-three over the weekend.

Rutgers takes a break from conference action with a midweek doubleheader scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25 against Iona at Rice Oval.

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