VIENNA, WV - The Salem International University softball team erased a 2-1 deficit by scoring four-times in the top of the sixth inning against Ohio Valley University on Sunday afternoon (Apr. 23). The Tigers would hold on to secure a 5-3 victory after the Fighting Scots scored once in the bottom of the sixth.

Juniors Hanna Crew and Ariana Garcia each finished the game with two hits and one run batted in as the Tigers recorded eight hits in the game against the Fighting Scots. Senior Jordan Williams hit her first home run for the Tigers in the top of the third inning to trim the OVU lead to 2-1.

OVU plated a pair of runs against junior starter Kayla Lynch in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly and passed ball. Lynch looked to get out of the inning with a strikeout but would see the inning continue and a run score as the pitch eluded her catcher.

The Tigers kept working their way towards scoring their first run of the game and would do so in the top of the third inning. Williams drove a 2-2 pitch over the fence in left center to cut the OVU lead in half, 2-1.

Lynch kept the Tigers in the game from the circle, holding the Fighting Scots scoreless through the fourth and fifth innings. The Tiger defense helped Lynch work around a hit batter to start the fifth inning by turning a 6-3 double play on a line drive to SIU shortstop Sam Perez.

Crew would knot the score 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning with a double to right center. Garcia then followed by lacing a single to right center and scoring pinch-runner Morgan Smith to give the Tigers a 3-2. An error by the center fielder with freshman Sydney McPherson at the plate allowed Garcia to score and give SIU a two-run cushion, 4-2.

Still working in the top of the sixth inning, freshman Rosey Romick singled to left field. The hit allowed sophomore Jordan Whitaker to score after some aggressive base running on a throw from the left fielder to home plate.

Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Fighting Scots answered by scoring a run of their own on an error by the Tigers as they tried to catch the runner at third base. The Tigers would get out of the inning by getting a groundout and a fly ball to center field.

SIU would navigate through the bottom of the seventh inning by recording a trio of line-outs to preserve the 5-3 victory. Lynch recorded the win, tossing all-seven inning for SIU and limiting the Fighting Scots to three runs (one earned) on two hits. She also fanned four batters and walked one.