SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. (March 17) – The Tigers were swept by Shepherd University, 10-2 and 16-0, in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the SU Softball Field.
The losses drop the Salem International University softball team to 4-6 overall, while the Rams improve their record to 7-2 this season.
Despite taking an early lead, the Tigers could not keep up with the Shepherd offense in the team's 10-2 game one loss.
Salem International rallied for two runs with two outs to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior catcher
Katie Chryssofos (Chapmanville, W.Va./Logan) connected for her third home run of the season and senior second baseman
Kayla Guta (Bentleyville, Pa./Bentworth) added an RBI single to give the Tigers the early edge.
The Rams responded with four runs in the bottom half of the first, behind the power of a pair of home runs to take a 4-2 lead after one complete. Shepherd added three more runs in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth and held Salem International to one hit over the next four innings to earn the run-rule shortened win.
Chryssofos led the Tigers at the plate with a 2-for-2 performance, including the home run in the first inning. Guta and freshman
Alyssa Discepola (Rio Grande, N.J./Middle Township) each finished with a hit, with Discepola adding a run scored.
Freshman
Katie Holestin (Covington, Va./Alleghany) took the loss for Salem International. Holestin (3-3) allowed 10 runs (six earned) on 14 hits and finished with two strikeouts over four innings in the loss.
The Shepherd offense did not relent in the afternoon finale, as the Rams earned a 16-0 run-rule victory over Salem International to complete the sweep.
The Rams tallied three runs in the second, six in the third and seven in the fourth to earn the win in five innings.
The Tigers did not string together much offense and scattered three hits in the game two loss. Salem International only struck out once at the dish, but grounded out in 12 of its 19 at-bats.
Redshirt-freshman
Kayla Lynch (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside) was tabbed with the loss. Lynch (1-3) allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 14 hits and struck out three in 3.1 innings of work.
The Tigers are set to return to the diamond this Friday and Saturday, March 20-21, when they head to Owensboro, Ky. to take on Kentucky Wesleyan for their Great Midwest Athletic Conference opener. The first-pitch of game one on both days is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT, 1 p.m. EST.
