SALEM, W. Va. (April 21, 2018) – Hanna Crew came off the field to jubilant applause from the home crowd in the bottom of the third inning of the Salem University Tigers softball team's second game against Bluefield State College.

Friends, family, and classmates gathered at Hope Field to celebrate Salem's senior class on senior day, giving cheer to two big victories over Bluefield State College. One-by-one, Head Coach Steve Potts gave the class of 2018 a moment to bask in the adulation during Game 2.

For Crew, it was after a single to right field—her second hit in three at-bats for the game. Potts sent Kaleigh Decker to pinch run for Hanna, meeting her near the third base to congratulate her. One batter later, it was Tori Butler leaving to standing ovation, giving way to Vaneise Mendez as a pinch runner after a RBI-single up the middle.

Jordan Whitaker then stepped in for Christine Bombardiere for her first plate appearance of the day, followed by Morgan Smith. In the fourth, Sydney McPherson entered for Ariana Garcia (2-for-3 in Game 2 with three RBI and two runs scored).

Injured players Cass Alexy and Ashley Williams got honorary starts, while Alyssa Discepola—who spent the year with the swim team after injuries shortened her softball career—walked side-by-side with her teammates once more in a pregame ceremony.

Salem put its best foot forward for its seniors, getting a complete game shutout win from pitcher Christine Bombardiere, who struck out a season-high seven batters and surrendered only one hit in the first game. The victory marked her fourth win in five appearances; with the fifth appearance earning a save in a relief appearance.

Salem put together eight runs in Game 1 off eight hits, led by Morgan Atkinson and Casey Mortiz, who each hit 2-for-4. Atkinson finished with two RBI and a run scored while Moritz had a RBI and two runs scored. Crew was 1-for-1 with a RBI and hit by pitch. Garcia finished 1-for-2 with a hit, run scored, and RBI double.

In the second game, the Tigers put together a 10-run second inning, defeating Bluefield State 15-0. Rosey Romick pitched three shutout innings, giving up two hits, while Destinee Baldwin and Brianna Bennett each pitched an inning for Salem, giving up one hit each.

Romick and Butler each finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored while Butler added a RBI. Five other Tigers finished with two hits each, with Bombardiere contributing four RBI and a run scored; and Garcia hitting 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Moritz was 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.

With the victories, their sixth in a row, Salem improves to 13-21 on the season and 4-0 at home. The Tigers will host West Liberty University in a doubleheader on April 23 at 2:00 p.m.