BUCKHANNON, West Virginia - After some tough results over the weekend, the Salem softball team headed down to Buckhannon today for a matchup with the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats. Salem split with the Bobcats at home earlier in the season, and the Tigers were looking to get back to their winning ways. After a tight Game 1 that ended in extra innings, Salem did just that with a shutout victory in Game 2 to earn a split on the day. Each contest played out as follows:

West Virginia Wesleyan 3, Salem 2

For Game 1, Salem took an early lead when Sierra Chapa made it home after her leadoff single when Ricki Garay hit into a Bobcat error. West Virginia Wesleyan knotted it back up with a run of their own in the 4th. Salem responded with another run in the 5th when Ricki Garay knocked a single that allowed Alyvia Pittman to reach home from third after her inning opening double. Yet again, the Bobcats tied it back up in the bottom of that same inning, and the game remained tied through 7 innings. In the 8th, Salem was unable to pull ahead, but the Bobcats were able to add a single run to end the contest in the bottom of the 8th. In the pitcher's circle, Andrea Gallegos pitched well in the contest, and went the whole way for the Tigers.

Salem 6, West Virginia Wesleyan 0

For Game 2, Salem got things going immediately offensively when Meladie LaRance crushed a home run to take an early 1-0 in the first. Then, Alyvia Pittman added a single in the 3rd that added 2 more runs for the Tigers. The Tigers built on their advantage in the next inning when Abigail Harki and Sierra Chapa both contributed RBI singles. Additionally, the Bobcats gave up a fielding error that allowed Meladie LaRance to reach first, and Victoria Castro to head home from third. With the 6-0 lead, the Tigers cruised to the shutout victory in Game 2 in 7 innings. In the pitcher's circle, Kendall Lemley finished the contest with the complete game win, and struck out 3 batters in the process. 

The Tigers should have some newfound energy after the win, and they will need it with another pair of home doubleheaders this weekend. They start things off with West Liberty on Friday, April 26th, and then Wheeling on Saturday, April 27th. Both contests will be played at The Bridge Sports Complex at Bridgeport, West Virginia.