CEDARVILLE, OH - The Salem International University softball team was able to load the bases in the top of the first inning against Cedarville University but the Yellow Jackets would work out of the jam. Cedarville scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning en route to a 9-0 victory in five innings against SIU.

Freshman left fielder Morgan Atkinson started the game off with a single up the middle for SIU. Two batters later, junior catcher Hanna Crew recorded an infield single, advancing Atkinson to second. Junior third baseman Ariana Garcia worked a 3-1 walk for the Tigers to load the bases.

SIU would catch an unlucky break as senior second baseman Vanessa Jimenez grounded into an inning-ending 1-2-3 double play.

Cedarville responded by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning against junior starter Katie Holestin. Sophomore right fielder Jordan Whitaker looked to start a two-out rally in the top of the second inning by delivering a single to center field. The inning ended as Whitaker was called-out trying to swipe second base.

The Yellow Jackets would extend their lead to 8-0 in the bottom of the second, scoring six times against Holestin and the Tigers. The highlight to the inning came on a bases-clearing double to left center.

SIU couldn't produce a run against the Yellow Jackets after stranding runners on base in each of the third and fourth innings. Junior center fielder Tori Butler recorded a single for the Tigers in the third inning, while Jimenez laced a single to center field for SIU in the fourth.

Cedarville capped its scoring with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning against Holestin. SIU would go 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth inning to end the contest.

Holestin took the loss for the Tigers, working four innings and allowing nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits. She would walk three batters in the game and fan two.

Atkinson, Butler, and Crew combined for three of the Tigers' five hits in the contest in the top three spots in the lineup.