The Salem University Tigers swept their doubleheader against Kent State University at Tuscarawas on Tuesday afternoon at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, WV. The Tigers dominated the opening game with an 8-0 shutout before holding off a late rally in the second game to win 12-11.
Game 1: Salem 8, Kent St.-Tuscarawas 0
Salem pitcher Brooke Wise threw a complete-game shutout, allowing only one hit and striking out three over six innings. The Tigers' offense provided plenty of support, led by Kylie Zinn and Bella Ortiz, who each had three hits.
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Key Offense: Salem broke the game open with a four-run second inning. Bella Ortiz, Layla McClung, Kendall Lemley, and Brooke Wise each drove in a run with consecutive hits.
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RBI Leaders: Abigail Harki led the team with two RBIs, while Zinn, Ortiz, McClung, Lemley, Wise, and Gina Alvaro each contributed one.
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Stellar Defense: The Tigers played error-free ball to support Wise's dominant performance in the circle.
Game 2: Salem 12, Kent St.-Tuscarawas 11
The second game was a high-scoring battle that saw the teams combine for 23 runs. Salem built an early 5-0 lead, but Kent St.-Tuscarawas roared back to take a brief lead in the third inning.
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Early Surge: Jacobi Gledhill sparked a five-run second inning for Salem with a bases-clearing three-RBI single.
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Mid-Game Fight: After falling behind 7-5, Salem tied the game in the third and then surged ahead for good with a five-run fifth inning. Key hits in that frame came from Abigail Harki, Brooke Wise, Alyssa Schultz, and a two-RBI double by Kylie Zinn.
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Holding On: Kent St.-Tuscarawas scored twice in the top of the seventh to pull within one run. However, Brooke Wise moved from second base to the pitcher's circle to record the final three outs and earn the save.
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Pitching: Franchesca Alvaro earned the win, pitching 3.2 innings of relief and striking out five.
