MELBOURNE, Fla. – Salem University softball continued its spring road trip at the Space Coast Complex on Wednesday, battling through a high-scoring doubleheader that resulted in a split against Minnesota Crookston and the University of Mary.
Game 1: Minnesota Crookston 11, Salem 3
In the opening contest of the day, Salem struck early but could not keep pace with a potent Golden Eagles offense.
The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead by the top of the second inning. Bella Ortiz set the tone in the first, drawing a walk and eventually scoring on a wild pitch. In the second, Ali Shrieve singled and later scored alongside Layla McClung on a fielder's choice by Ortiz.
However, Minnesota Crookston responded immediately with two runs in the bottom of the second and two more in the third to take a 4-3 lead. The game broke open in the fifth inning when the Golden Eagles capitalized on an error and a bases-clearing triple by Megan Surgenor to plate five runs.
Salem's offense was held to three hits by Minnesota Crookston's Charlotte Dombrowski, who earned the win in relief with four scoreless innings. Kendall Lemley took the loss for Salem, pitching 4.1 innings.
Game 2: Salem 7, University of Mary 6
The Tigers showed incredible resilience in the nightcap, erasing two separate deficits to secure a thrilling walk-off victory over the University of Mary.
Trailing 3-1 entering the bottom of the fifth, Salem's bats came alive for five runs. The rally featured:
The University of Mary refused to go quietly, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh—aided by a two-RBI double from Daisy Sparrow—to tie the game at 6-6.
In the bottom of the seventh, Salem loaded the bases after Alyssa Schultz reached on an error, Bella Ortiz walked, and Kyleigh Cook singled. With two outs and the game on the line, Ali Shrieve delivered the heroics with a walk-off single to left field, scoring Schultz for the 7-6 win.
Franchesca Alvaro earned the win, throwing a complete-game seven innings and striking out three. Cook led the offensive charge with three hits, while Shrieve finished with two hits and two RBIs.
