DUBOIS, Pa. — Salem University softball continueded postseason play in dominant fashion Tuesday afternoon, defeating Penn State New Kensington 9-1 in six innings at Heindl Field. While the game was suspended for some time, the Tigers battled through the blustery conditions and earned their spot in the Championship game tomorrow afternoon.
The Tigers improved to 22-34 overall behind a complete-game effort from Kendall Lemley and a balanced offensive attack that produced 12 hits.
Salem struck first in the opening inning when Kylie Zinn delivered an RBI single to center, scoring Brooke Wise for a 1-0 lead. Lemley added to the advantage in the second inning with a solo home run to left center, pushing the lead to 2-0.
The Tigers continued to build momentum in the third as Layla McClung ripped an RBI double to left field to score Jacobi Gledhill and make it 3-0.
Lemley was in control throughout the afternoon inside the circle, allowing just five hits while striking out seven over six innings. The left-hander improved to 15-12 on the season.
Salem broke the game open in the fifth inning with four runs. After singles from Gledhill and Zinn and a walk by McClung loaded the bases, Ali Shrieve delivered a two-run double to left field. Gina Alvaro followed with a two-run single that extended the lead to 7-0.
Penn State New Kensington scored its lone run in the sixth on an RBI double from Linda Shepard, but Salem answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. McClung worked a walk and Bella Ortiz singled before Shrieve capped the game with a two-run single to left center, ending the contest via run rule.
Shrieve led the Tigers offensively, finishing 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a double. Zinn added a pair of hits and an RBI, while McClung scored twice and drove in a run. Lemley also helped her own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a homer and double.
Wise and Lemley each recorded two hits as Salem totaled 12 hits in the victory.
