Salem softball competed in a home series against Averett and dropped both by scores of 14-3 and 12-3 at Blixt Field on Saturday afternoon.

Game 1:

The Cougars hit the ground running in the first inning, scoring three runs off of five hits with the rally being ended by a catch from Maleah Tate in center field. The Spirits were held scoreless with zero hits recorded in the first three innings. After holding the Cougars to a scoreless inning in the second, they were able to scratch three more runs across the plate in the top of the third. However, key defensive plays were made by Rheanne Tullock at second base.

The fourth inning included a handful of lineup changes for the Spirits, although the Cougars were able to string three more hits together to put two more runs on the board. Carlee Tart earned a walk in the bottom of the fourth inning as the first base runner of the day for Salem and scored instantly on a two-run homer off the bat of Karma Morrison. The Cougars struck again in the fifth inning to score six more runs off of five hits. With their backs against the wall in the fifth inning the Spirits were able to scratch one run across the plate with a double by Jelene Avila who advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwdown to second. 

Despite a walk drawn by Griffin Pearce following Avila scoring in the fifth, the Spirits were defeated with the contest ending after five innings.

Game 2: 

After the break, the Cougars kept firing on all cylinders to score four runs off of four hits in the first inning. Despite being held scoreless in the bottom of the first inning, the Spirits were able to reset on defense with all three outs of the second inning being brought in by Tate in center field. NeVeaha George began the bottom of the second inning with a lead off single in the five-six hole that was followed by a walk by Tart and a single by Aspen James. With bases loaded, Amy McLamb singled up the middle to score George. Key defensive plays were made by Camryn Clarke at second and George at third to limit the Cougars to one run being scored in the third. Reese Upton, Morrison, and James were able to string three hits together in the bottom of the third to score one for the Spirits. 

The Cougars scratched four runs across the plate in the fourth inning, rattling off a series of six hits and three more scored in the fifth with two hits. The Spirits were unable to answer in the fourth after a single from Tate, but began the fifth inning on a high note with a lead-off homerun from Upton. 

Despite singles from Tart and James in the fifth, the Spirits were unable to cut into the deficit and the contest ended after five innings.  

Stat Leaders:

Karma Morrison: 2 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 9 PO

Reese Upton: 2 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 PO

Aspen James: 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 PO

The Spirits will next be in action in a non-conference matchup at Home vs Carolina on February 24th at 1pm and 3pm.