OWENSBORO, Ky. (March 20) – The Tigers were swept by Kentucky Wesleyan by scores of 8-3 and 3-0 in each teams' conference opener Friday afternoon at Foster Field.
The losses drop the Salem International University softball team to 4-8 overall, 0-2 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) action. Meanwhile, the Panthers improve to 2-0 in conference play, 7-6 overall this season.
The Tigers fell behind early and were unable to rally in the team's 8-3 loss in game one.
The Panthers opened up a 3-0 lead behind two runs in the first inning and another in the third before junior catcher
Katie Chryssofos (Chapmanville, W.Va./Logan) smacked a solo home run in the fourth to narrow the deficit to 3-1.
After Kentucky Wesleyan patched its lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers connected on three-consecutive hits and plated two runs to lead off the fifth inning. Freshman centerfielder
Tori Butler (Hedgesville, W.Va./Musselman) picked up the key hit with a two-RBI double to cut the Panther lead to 5-3.
Salem International only tallied two hits in the final two frames and Kentucky Wesleyan added three more insurance runs to earn the game one win.
Freshman
Katie Holestin (Covington, Va./Allegheny) was saddled with the loss. Holestin (3-3) allowed eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and struck out three over 6.0 innings of work.
Freshman
Hanna Crew (Canton, Ohio/Perry) led the team at the plate with two hits, including double, and a run scored.
Kentucky Wesleyan once again scored early and held off the Tigers in the Panthers 3-0 win in game two. The Panthers plated two runs in the first inning and tacked on a run in the fifth to earn the sweep.
Redshirt-freshman
Kayla Lynch (Painesville, Ohio/Riverside) took the loss in game two. Lynch (1-4) allowed three runs on seven hits and walked three over 6.0 innings in the circle.
Salem International is back in action tomorrow, Saturday March 21 for another twinbill with Kentucky Wesleyan. First-pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. local, 12 p.m. CT.
