DuBOIS, Pa. – Powered by a dominant offensive start and a gritty complete-game performance from Kendall Lemley, the Salem University Tigers softball team (21-34) defeated Florida National (27-18) by a score of 8-4 on Tuesday afternoon at Heindl Field.
The Tigers wasted no time establishing control in the first inning. After Brooke Wise opened the game with a double to center field, Jacobi Gledhill launched a two-run home run to left field to provide an immediate 2-0 lead. Salem extended that advantage in the third inning when Lemley helped her own cause with a leadoff single. Wise followed with her second RBI double of the day, and Gledhill drove her home shortly after with a single to left, pushing the score to 4-0.
The offensive pressure continued into the fourth inning as Ali Shrieve doubled to center and eventually crossed the plate on a fielder's choice from Wise. While Florida National managed to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth, Salem responded with a decisive three-run fifth inning. Layla McClung delivered the knockout blow with a two-RBI double to left that scored both Gledhill and Kylie Zinn. Bella Ortiz then capped the Tigers' scoring with an RBI groundout to score McClung, bringing the lead to 8-1.
In the circle, Kendall Lemley (1-0) earned the win with a resilient 7.0-inning performance. She allowed four runs on 11 hits while striking out five batters on 109 pitches. Florida National attempted a late-inning comeback—highlighted by a solo home run from Alisha Lanyon in the sixth and two RBI singles in the seventh—but Lemley induced a final groundout to shortstop to secure the victory.
Salem was led offensively by a massive day from Jacobi Gledhill, who finished 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Brooke Wise also provided critical production, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. The Tigers' efficient performance saw them turn two double plays defensively to help stifle Florida National's rallies.
