MURFREESBORO, NC – Freshman Rosie Romick finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate for Salem International University, but the Tigers would drop both games on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 25) against Chowan University. The Tigers scored twice in the top of the fourth inning to erase a 1-0 deficit, only to see the Hawks plate seven runs in the home half of the frame en route to a 10-2 victory in six innings. SIU scored first in the second game, but saw its 2-0 lead falter as the Hawks scored seven runs between the second and third innings to record another 10-2 win in six innings.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salem Int'l 2, Chowan University 10 (Game 1)
Salem Int'l 2, Chowan University 10 (Game 2)
Records: Salem Int'l (2-2), Chowan University (7-6)
Location: Hawks Field | Murfreesboro, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Game One
- Junior Kayla Lynch started game one for the Tigers and would keep the Hawks in check for the first three innings.
- The Hawks got onto the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning thanks to an RBI single to center field by Brooke Bowen.
- Trailing 1-0 entering the top of the fourth inning, Romick plated a pair of runs to give SIU a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Kaleigh Decker started the rally with a single and would be followed by another single from junior Tori Butler.
- Chowan wouldn't wait long to answer the rally from the Tigers, scoring seven times in the bottom of the fourth. The inning was highlighted by a grand slam from starting pitcher Kayla Robins.
- Lynch would stay in the game for the Tigers despite the rough inning. SIU had a tough time trying to figure out Robins, recording 10 strikeout and just three walks.
- Chowan scored twice in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game with the eight-run rule in effect.
- Romick finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBIs, while Bowen finished with a two-hit game for Chowan.
- Lynch (1-1) allowed 10 runs (five earned) on seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. She recorded seven strikeouts and issued three walks.
- Game Two
- Junior Katie Holestin got the start for SIU in game two and would get some early offense from her teammates.
- The Tigers struck first offensively against Shannon Buchanan in the top of the first inning. Freshman Sydney McPherson reached base on an error by the second baseman that allowed two runs to score.
- Chowan erased the Tigers' 2-0 lead with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning. Haley Cooper gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead with her two-RBI single to right field.
- The Hawks added four more runs in the bottom of the third inning against Holestin and the Tigers. It would be another two-RBI single that paid dividends for Chowan in the third.
- Chowan added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and one in the sixth inning to cut the game short with an eight-run lead.
- Holestin (1-1) allowed seven runs (four earned) in three innings of work. Romick relieved Holestin to start the fourth inning and would finish the game by facing two batters in the sixth inning. Romick allowed three runs on three hits while walking one batter.
- Buchanan (2-2) earned her second win of the season for Chowan, allowing just one earned run on five hits in six innings of work. She fanned five batters while issuing one walk.
- Romick finished the game 2-for-3 with one run scored for the Tigers, while freshman Naomi Smout recorded her first double of the season for SIU.
- Katrina Simmons went 3-for-4 at the plate for Chowan with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Cooper went 1-for-2 with four RBIs. Danielle Baccus finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs.
UP NEXT:
The Tigers head to Elizabeth City State University on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 26) for a pair of games against the Vikings. Action will begin at 1 p.m. with the second contest beginning 25-minutes after the completion of the first game. A Link for live stats will be available at www.siutigerpride.com.
