Salem softball competed in a home series against Kenyon on Saturday afternoon and dropped both by scores of 6-3 and 19-8 at Blixt Field.

Game 1:

The Spirits started out firing on all cylinders allowing the Owls zero hits, zero runs, with one left on base in the first inning. At the plate Jelene Avila cashed in on a leadoff walk that was followed up by a single from Maleah Tate. Karma Morrison singled with a hit to the right side bringing Avila home to score while Morgan Lawson earned an RBI, scoring Tate on a hit to first base. The Spirits continued to play solid defense leaving the Owls scoreless in the second inning with key plays being made by Lawson at third and Camryn Clarke at shortstop. Despite a lead off single from Clarke, the Spirits were held off in the bottom of the second. The third inning was scoreless for both teams with the Owls stranding two runners on base and the Spirits leaving one.  

The Spirits continued to play lockdown defense, holding the Owls in the fourth inning with pop flies being secured by Lawson, Reese Upton, and Kayla Dick. Carlee Tart began the fourth inning on a high note with a lead off double for the Spirits. NeVeaha George singled to advance Tart to third, with Clarke singling on a hit to shallow right field to score Tart. The Spirits continued to hold the Owls to no runs in the fifth inning, with Riley Dennis on the mound working her way out of the bases loaded  jam. After getting a quick three outs on defense, the Owls finally gained momentum at the plate scoring five runs on five hits in the top of the sixth. Following another quick inning on defense, the Owls were able to scratch one more run in the top of the seventh on two hits. 

Despite a two out single by Kayla Dick, the Spirits were unable to bounce back after giving up the lead with the contest ending after seven innings.

Game 2:

The Owls picked up where they left off, scoring one run in the first inning with two hits and a sacrifice bunt. Madison Talley led off for the Spirits with a lead off walk and was brought home to score on an RBI double by Lawson. The Owls responded with another run in the top of the second on three hits, stranding two runners on base. The Spirits kept it rolling at the plate with a lead off walk by Rheanne Tullock, a double by Upton, and a RBI single by Talley to score Tullock. The Owls cashed in on a big inning in the third, scoring six runs on seven hits with the final out being secured by Tate in center field. The Spirits responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third with a double from Tart, a RBI double from Tullock, a single from Clarke, and a two-run double from Upton.    

The Owls continued scoring in the fourth inning, scratching six more runs across the plate with five hits. Key defensive plays were made by Lawson at third and Dennis in the circle to limit the damage. 

Alli Stertzbach, Aspen James, and Madison Long remained patient at the plate to each earn walks and load the bases. Stertzbach was brought home to score on an RBI from Lawson, and Tart singled up the middle to score Tate and James. Despite an early two outs, the Owls remained hot at the plate scoring five more runs on five hits in the top of the fifth.  

Despite a walk by Stertzbach and a double by James in the bottom of the fifth, the Spirits were unable to cut into the deficit and the contest ended after five innings. 

Stat Leaders:

Camryn Clarke: 3 H, 1 RBI, 1 PO, 2 A

Carlee Tart: 3 H, 2 RBI, 1 PO, 1 SB

Morgan Lawson: 1 H, 3 RBI, 6 PO, 2 A

Riley Dennis: 3 SO

The Spirits will next be in action in a non-conference matchup at Home vs Piedmont University on March 4th at 2pm and 4pm.