Salem softball competed in their first series at home going one and one on the day to Johnson & Wales by scores of 8-12 and 9-8 at Blixt Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Game 1: 

The Wildcats began the scoring early, scratching runs in the first four innings and held Salem to only two hits in the first three innings. Although they found themselves in an early hole, the Spirits remained focused with key defensive plays being made by Kayla Dick in right field. Emma Greeson scratched the first hit for the Spirits on the day reaching second on a line drive in the left center gap. Maleah Tate singled through the left side in the bottom of the third and scored for the Spirits off of an RBI hit by Morgan Lawson.

After holding the Wildcats to their first scoreless inning in the fourth, the Spirits began stringing hits of their own together. Carlee Tart, Dick, and Camryn Clarke were a powerful trio to scratch two more runs across the plate for the Spirits. Karma Morrison kept the energy going in the fifth hitting a two-run bomb to pull the Spirits within striking distance. NeVaeha George was a bright spot on the mound for the Spirits earning three strikeouts during four innings of work giving up on three earned runs. Facing a seven run deficit, Morrison stepped up big time to hit her second two-run home run on the day to bring the game within 5. 

Despite their efforts and a double by Dick, the Spirits were unable to battle all the way back in the seventh. 

Game 2:

Determined to bounce back after a tough loss, the Spirits made a few lineup changes and held the Wildcats to no hits in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, Tate and Lawson singled to set Morrison up for her third home run of the day to bring home three more RBIs giving the Spirits the early lead. The scoring for the Spirits continued in the third with Amy McLamb and Madison Long both cashing in on RBIs to score Tart and James. 

The Wildcats began to string hits of their own together in the fourth inning, however their progress came to a screeching halt with an outstanding catch by Aspen James in right field to end the inning. In the bottom of the fourth Morrison took another pitch for a ride and solo homered to center field. Riley Dennis was a powerful force for the Spirits in the circle earning three strikeouts, with two coming back-to-back to end the fifth inning. The Spirits were able to scratch on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth with doubles coming from James and Tart along with a two-run boom from Rheanne Tullock over the left field fence. 

The Wildcats were able to bring it within one in the seventh, but the Spirits were able to hold on with key defensive plays being made by Tullock, Tart, and Tate. 

Stat Leaders:

Karma Morrison: 4 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 11 PO 

Kayla Dick: 3 H, 2 SB

Maleah Tate: 3 SB

NeVaeha George and Riley Dennis: 3 SO

The Spirits will next be in action in their non-conference matchup at Home vs Averett on February 21st at 1pm and 3pm.