Auburndale, Florida - After a Sunday off, the Salem Softball team got back on the field today with a pair of contests against some more tough opposition. First, it was the Owls of Southern Connecticut State, and then it was a matchup against the Missouri-Saint Louis Tritons. Salem was bested in Game 1, but uncorked a dramatic offensive showcase to down the Tritons. Each contest played out as follows:

Southern Connecticut State 8, Salem 0

In Game 1, Salem struggled to get the offensive side of the game going. Therefore, they fell behind the Owls early. However, Salem was able to keep the Owls from building on their lead throughout the contest with some strong defensive play behind pitchers Brooke Wise, Kayla Willaims, and Franchesca Alvaro. Salem did get a brief shot at an offensive rally when they added a single from Kyra Butcher in the 7th, but it was too little too late to avoid the 8-0 loss to the Owls. 

Salem 11, Missouri-Saint Louis 9

For Game 2, Salem was able to right the wrongs of Game 1 with a quick offensive start. The Tigers added 4 opening runs off of RBI singles from Kaydee Anderson and Ricki Garay and a RBI double from Meladie LaRance in the 2nd inning. Sierra Chapa then tripled in the 3rd to bring in another 3 runs, and then Anderson layed down a sacrifice bunt that brought in Chapa for the 8th run of the contest for the Tigers. However, this was when the Tritons stormed back, and they eventually tied the contest up at 6th. Salem stayed poised however and Meladie LaRance knocked a 3 run home run in the top of the 7th to make it 11-8. In the bottom of that inning, the Tritons added one more run, but Kendall Lemley came in to shut the door for the Tigers on the way to a well-earned 11-9 win. In the pitcher's circle, Andrea Gallegos earned the win, and the aforementioned Lemley earned a save for her work in the final inning. 

This momentum should prove useful for the Tigers in their final day of competition down in Florida tomorrow. They face off with Pitt-Johnstown at 1:45 PM, and then Saint Anselm at 4 PM. Both contests will be played in Leesburg, Florida.