SALEM, Va. — Salem University softball closed out a doubleheader at Moyer Sports Complex on March 15 with a split, defeating West Virginia State University in the opener before dropping the second game to California University of Pennsylvania.
Game 1: Salem 4, West Virginia State 3
Salem used timely hitting and a strong outing in the circle to secure a 4-3 win in the first game of the day.
After falling behind 2-0 early, the Tigers responded with a three-run fourth inning to take control. Ali Shrieve sparked the rally with an RBI double, and Salem added two more runs on groundouts from Ali Jacobs and Destiny Coble to move in front 3-2.
West Virginia State evened the score in the fifth, but Salem answered in the bottom of the sixth. Shrieve delivered again, driving in Brooke Wise with her second RBI double of the game to give Salem a 4-3 lead.
Kendall Lemley made the lead stand, tossing a complete game while allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits to earn the victory.
Kyleigh Cook paced the offense with three hits, while Shrieve finished with two doubles and two RBI in the win.
Game 2: California (PA) 10, Salem 6
In the second game, Salem's offense produced 13 hits but couldn't hold off a late surge from California (PA) in a 10-6 loss.
The Tigers came out strong, scoring twice in the first inning behind RBI doubles from Kendall Lemley and Brooke Wise, then adding another run in the second to build a 3-0 advantage.
California responded with a four-run third inning to take the lead, but Salem answered in the fourth. Alyssa Schultz drove in a run, and Kylie Zinn followed with a two-RBI single to tie the game at 6-6.
The Vulcans regained control late, scoring two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away. Salem was unable to generate offense over the final three frames.
Schultz led the Tigers with a 3-for-3 performance, while Cook added three hits and Lemley contributed a pair of extra-base hits in the loss.
Salem continues to show progress at the plate, combining for 21 hits across the doubleheader while earning a hard-fought split at home.
