DUBOIS, Pa. — Salem University softball captured the USCAA Small College World Series Championship on Thursday afternoon, defeating Florida National 9-3 at Heindl Field behind a dominant offensive effort and another complete game performance from Kendall Lemley.
The title marks a historic postseason achievement for the Tigers, who closed their tournament run with another explosive showing at the plate, totaling 14 hits while scoring in five different innings.
Salem wasted no time taking control of the championship game, erupting for five runs in the opening inning. Alyssa Schultz sparked the rally with a leadoff double before Kylie Zinn delivered an RBI single to put the Tigers on the board. Moments later, Ali Shrieve broke the game open with a towering grand slam to left center, giving Salem an early 5-0 advantage.
Florida National responded with two unearned runs in the third inning, but Salem answered immediately. Layla McClung singled to start the frame and later scored on Shrieve's RBI single to push the lead to 6-2.
The Tigers extended the margin again in the fourth inning when Kendall Lemley and Brooke Wise opened the inning with back-to-back hits. Jacobi Gledhill followed with a two-run single to center, stretching the lead to 8-2.
Salem added its final run in the sixth inning as Abigail Harki singled as a pinch hitter before Gledhill and Zinn followed with consecutive base hits. Zinn's RBI single plated Schultz for the Tigers' ninth run of the afternoon.
Lemley once again delivered in the circle, tossing a complete game while allowing just five hits and one earned run over seven innings. The left-hander struck out four and improved to 16-12 on the season.
Shrieve led the offensive attack, finishing 3-for-4 with five RBIs, highlighted by her first-inning grand slam. Gledhill added three hits and two RBIs, while Zinn collected three hits and drove in two runs.
McClung finished with two hits, and Wise added a double as Salem's lineup continued its torrid postseason production.
Florida National was paced by Isabella Silva, who recorded three hits, including an inside-the-park home run in the seventh inning.
With the victory, Salem secured the USCAA Small College World Series Championship and capped its postseason run with 4 dominant wins in DuBois.
The following Tigers were honored with All-Tournament selections as well: Jacobi Gledhill, Ali Shrieve, Brooke Wise, Kendall Lemley (Tournament MVP).
