Danville, VA-The Salem College softball team split two games with Averett on the road. Salem shutout the Cougars 4-0 in game 1, before falling 4-3 in game 2. The Spirits are tied at 13-5 with Piedmont at the top of the USA South West Division with four conference games remaining. Salem is 21-12 overall, while Averett is now 18-16.

Lauryn Smith pitched a shutout in game 1. She only allowed 4 scattered hits in the impressive complete game shutout. Salem took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning and added an insurance run in the 7th. Jennifer Vitarelli led the Spirits with 2 hits, while Brittany Morton drove in 2 runs.

The Cougars came from behind to win the second game. Salem jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the top of the fifth, but Averett was able to score 3 runs in their last two innings for the win. Brianna Morris allowed 1 run on 7 hits in 4 innings, and Sydney Vaughn gave up 3 runs on 7 hits in 2.2 innings. Briana Crumley and Morris each had 2 hits for Salem. Crumley also drove in 2 runs.

The Spirits host NC Wesleyan in non-conference action on Wednesday.