BLUEFIELD, West Virginia - After their tough series against Frostburg State last week, the Salem softball program was looking to get back into their winning ways when they headed down to Bluefield State for a weekend doubleheader with the Big Blue. Salem got a decisive win in the first contest, but was stung with a late rally in Game 2 by the Big Blue split the series. Both games played out as follows:

Salem 8, Bluefield State 2

In Game 1 down in Bluefield, Salem got their offense started in the second inning. Kaydee Anderson started by reaching on a fielder's choice, and advancing to second as Meesha Arroyo came home. Sierra Chapa brought in one more with a single that brought in Anabela Gonzalez. That still left the bases full for Meladie LaRance, and she reached first on a hit by pitch. Therefore, Kaydee Anderson advanced from third for the third run of the inning. They then added three more in the subsequent inning. The third inning scoring started with a Bluefield State error allowing Ricki Garay to reach home. Then, Gonzalez singled to bring in Arroyo. For the final run of the third inning, Salem added one more off a Eliana Esteban RBI triple. Bluefield State responded with two runs in the 5th and 6th innings. However, Salem finished off their win with 2 more runs in the 7th inning off of a Anabela Gonzalez RBI double and a Sierra Chapa RBI single to make the final score 8-2 favoring Salem. In the pitcher's circle, Salem got a strong performance from Meesha Arroyo, who earned a complete game win with a total of 5 strikeouts. 

Bluefield State 7, Salem 5

In Game 2, the Tigers started off strong with 2 RBI singles from Jazmyn Moetului and Ricki Garay. The Big Blue responded with one of their own in the 4th, but Salem answered right back in the 5th and 6th. In the 5th, they scored when a Big Blue error allowed Ricki Garay to come home from third. Moetului played the hero again in the 6th when she tripled, and brought in Elaina Esteban in the process. Bluefield State kept it tight by scoring in the 6th to make it 4-3, but Salem added one more run in the 7th off of a Jade Turner single. However, disaster struck in the bottom of the 7th when a late Big Blue home run ended the game in walkoff fashion. Despite the loss, Salem got a strong pitching performance from Andrea Gallegos, who pitched a complete game and struck out 2. 

Despite the less than ideal ending to the contest, Salem will be back in action this week against NAIA foe Washington Adventist on March 28th. They are set for a doubleheader against the Shock in Takoma Park, Maryland at 3 PM.