Syracuse Orange
Overall Rank: #27
Conference Rank: #1 Big East
Syracuse comes off its most successful season in history, going 45-13. The Orange reached 40-wins for the first time in 2011 and they will go into the 2012 campaign looking to make their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Leigh Ross has been at the helm of the Orange since 2006. This year she looks to guide her senior laden squad, which returns four All-Conference selectees, including the Big East Pitcher of the Year Jenna Ciara, to their highest regular season finish and third consecutive Big East Tournament Championship. Tough tests early against Arizona, Cal, UCLA, Northwestern, Oregon, Michigan and Baylor should get Syracuse ready for conference play and a run into the postseason.
2011: 45-13, 15-5
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Leigh Ross, 6th season
Field Players:
The Orange returns an experienced defense, losing just two starters to graduation. Senior Lacey Kohl provides versatility, catching and playing outfield. In 2011 she hit .285 with 12 HR’s. Senior Kelly Saco (1B) delivered nine home runs in 2011 and should be an important part of this year’s offense. Shortstop Morgan Nandin played every game last season (58) and anchors the defense, making just seven errors in those games.
Pitchers:
Jenna Ciara, 2011 Big East Pitcher of the Year and Canadian National team member, threw close to 75 percent of last year’s innings for the Orange and is likely to carry the same load in 2012. A record setter at Syracuse, Ciara had 7.9 strikeouts per seven innings on the way to 35 wins with a 1.51 ERA last season. She was named Big East Pitcher of the Week four times in 2011. Junior Stacy Kuwik ably backed up Ciara, appearing in 33 games, collecting 10 wins and two saves with a 2.79 ERA. Freshman Lindsay Taylor will round out the staff.
Who to Watch:
Seniors Lisaira Daniels (OF) and Stephanie Watts (2B) should continue to lead the way on offense. Together they accounted for 25 percent of the team’s offense in home runs, RBIs, hits and runs scored. Daniels played every game in 2011. She hit .351, mashed five home runs and stole a team leading 24 bases. Watts hit .306, with 11 HR’s and 17 steals.
Final Projection:
Ciara’s ability to dominate in the circle will be what drives the Orange’s results. Combined with the return of a seasoned and solid defense, last year’s Big East Tournament Champs should keep most opposing offenses under control. If the offense can replace the 16 home runs and 65 RBI lost to Hallie Gibbs’ graduation, Syracuse can make a run at the Big East regular season title, their third consecutive Big East Tournament Championship and for the first time, multiple wins in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Lisara Daniels, OF, 191
Hits: Lisara Daniels, OF, 67
Home Runs: Lacey Kohl, C/OF, 12
RBIs: Lacey Kohl, C/OF, 43
Runs: Lisara Daniels, OF, 67
Stolen Bases: Lisara Daniels, OF, 24
Wins: Jenna Ciara, P, 35
Innings Pitched: Jenna Ciara, P, 283.1
Strikeouts: Jenna Ciara, P, 321
Saves: Jenna Ciara, P, 4
