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When Madison Knight was recruited to Syracuse before the 2023 season, accolades already filled her resume. The two-way talent won two straight Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year Awards (2021, 2022) and was the No. 1 recruit in the state. She had also earned 1st Team All-America honors, making her primed to bolster SU’s offense and defense.

In her freshman season, Knight did that, leading SU’s pitching staff in ERA (2.99), innings pitched (147.1) and wins (13). Offensively, she hit .256 with 30 hits and 28 RBIs. Knight’s numbers dipped slightly in 2024, but in 2025, she’s been a dominant force for the Orange.

Entering Thursday, Knight’s presence in the circle with a 0.88 ERA and 1.03 WHIP contributed to SU’s stout pitching. She had played a huge role in Syracuse’s program-best 12-2 start, and on Thursday, she shined.

Knight’s near-no hitter and seventh-inning tie-breaking home run led Syracuse (13-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) past Delaware (4-7, 0-0 Coastal Athletic) 2-1. The Orange mustered just six hits, but with the help of Knight’s complete game, seven-strikeout effort, they prevailed.

One of Syracuse’s strengths all seasons has been its ability to score early. In its first 14 games, SU scored in the first two innings 10 times. But that didn’t continue Thursday.

Jadyn Burney, who didn’t start the last two games, got the nod at shortstop. Her speed-intensive prowess, which has put her in the leadoff spot in each of her eight starts, didn’t show right away. The shortstop went down swinging before Madelyn Lopez grounded out.

SU applied pressure soon after with an Angie Ramos single and Kelly Breen hit by pitch, but Laila Morales-Alves’s groundout ended the threat.

On the defensive side, as previously mentioned, Knight was unstoppable. The junior allowed just two batters to reach base through three innings, both due to walks, but Delaware couldn’t drive them home.

However, Knight’s presence on the mound didn’t immediately translate to the plate. Her pop-out in foul territory in the second inning began an eight-batter stretch with just one reaching base. It was uncharacteristic for the Orange, who had tallied 134 hits thus far, ranking fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

On Delaware’s side, Billie Kerwood dueled Knight in the circle, allowing just two hits through three innings. In the fourth, Morales-Alves singled, but pinch-runner Lauren Fox was gunned down at second on a stolen base attempt. In the same inning, Knight walked, but Peyton Schemmer lined out on eight pitches, bringing the game scoreless into the bottom half of the fourth.

Knight’s dominance continued. The fourth inning saw a 1-2-3 inning, and so did the fifth. The ace tallied five punchouts and allowed just two baserunners, keeping Syracuse alive despite its offensive failures.

In the following frame, SU went down in order for the second time with Ramos and Breen groundouts and a Morales-Alves flyout. The Orange’s two run-rule wins looked like a distant memory, especially against a Delaware pitching staff that ranks 99th in the country in ERA and 100th in WHIP.

The bottom half of the sixth saw Knight experience her first threat of the night. Marlayna Capaldi was hit on her helmet’s brim by Knight’s first pitch, giving the Blue Hens a quick baserunner.

Katie Scheivert laid down a bunt, moving Capaldi to second base with just one out. Delaware had a runner in scoring position for the first time, but Mary Beth Cahalan popped out to first base.

Knight was one out away from bringing a no-hitter into the final inning. Grace Hausamann was due up to the dish, but before she even had a chance to bring Capaldi home, Syracuse had ended the inning. Capaldi tried a delayed steal on SU’s defense, but the Orange capitalized. A quick rundown saw Breen place a tag on Capaldi at second base, ending the sixth.

Syracuse entered the seventh inning with just four hits, tied with its season-low four from its 3-1 loss to Georgia on Feb. 23. However, that number was quickly bumped up thanks to Knight. After a stout game in the circle, Knight blasted the first pitch she saw way over the left field fence.

Schemmer, the ensuing batter, also connected on a home run, which nearly landed in the same spot as Knight’s. This gave SU a comfortable lead heading into the bottom half against a Delaware offense that hadn’t done anything all day.

But Sydney Shaffer led the bottom of the frame off with a walk on five pitches before Morgan Hess doubled down the left field line, ending Knight’s no-hitter and driving home Shaffer. The Orange’s lead had already been cut in half, and Knight was approaching 100 pitches.

Chloe Blantz then walked on four pitches before Ryleigh Thomas knocked a bloop single into left field, loading the bases with just one out. But with Knight’s performance on both offense and defense, it looked inevitable she would step up and close things out.

And she did. Kristen Luzon struck out on five pitches, bringing Capaldi to the plate. Despite throwing away a scoring chance in the sixth, Capaldi had a chance to right the wrong. A hit would end the game, but Knight prevailed, fanning Capaldi to give SU its 13th win.

Published on February 27, 2025 at 8:34 pm

Contact: jordankimball28@gmail.com | @JordanKimball_