Salem Softball competed in a home series against Meredith College on Saturday afternoon and went 0-2 by scores of 3-7 and 0-8 at Blixt Field.
Game 1:
The Avenging Angels came out the gate firing, putting one run up on the board in the top of the first with three hits and three runners left on base. The Spirits were unable to respond at the plate in the bottom of the first, despite a lead off walk being drawn by Carlee Tart. Defensively, Salem reset in the top of the second and held Meredith scoreless with key outs being recorded by Madison Talley in the circle and Camryn Clarke at shortstop. Offensively, the Spirits remained cold at the plate and went down three in a row to Meredith pitcher Lillie Davis. The Avenging Angels regained momentum at the plate in the top of the third to put two more runs on the board with three hits. Salem was held scoreless and hitless at the plate in the third and fourth innings, with Davis continuing to be a bright spot for the visiting team.
On a series of four hits in the top of the fourth, Meredith added one more run to their lead. Key defensive plays were made by Jelene Avila in right field, Clarke at shortstop, and Karma Morrison at first base. The fifth inning was a solid inning for the Spirits on defense, allowing no hits or runs and going three-up-three-down after letting the lead off hitter aboard. Salem finally gained momentum at the plate in the bottom of the fifth, putting three runs on the board and bringing the game within one. Morrison started the inning off on a high note, battling to earn a full count walk that was followed by a single from Talley. Emma Greeson laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Kayla Dick reached base on a hit by pitch, and with bases loaded, Avila hit a two run RBI double down the third base line to score the pinch runner Amy McLamb and Talley. Tart then hit an RBI to the right side to score Dick from third. The Avenging Angels instantly responded, scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the sixth. Important outs were recorded by Clarke and Morgan Lawson at third to end the rally. The Spirits were held scoreless in the sixth despite a lead off walk being drawn by Reese Upton that was followed by a single by Lawson to center field. Meredith was unable to add to their lead in the top of the seventh due to the efforts of Dick in left field, Tart at second, and Clarke at shortstop.
Despite their efforts, and Tart and Tate reaching base in the seventh inning, the Spirits were unable to cut into the deficit with the contest ending in seven innings.
Game 2:
The Avenging Angels picked up right where they left off following the break and scratched five runs across the plate on four hits in the top of the first. Key defensive plays were made by Eileen Maddox securing a diving catch in center field and Reese Upton behind the plate. Davis continued to be a commanding force for Meredith in the circle and held the Spirits scoreless in the first, fending off a lead off walk being drawn by Tart. Defensively, the Spirits refocused in the top of the second to hold the Avenging Angels scoreless with outs being recorded by Lawson at third and NaVaeha George in the circle. The second inning was another scoreless inning for Salem, going three-up-three-down. The Spirits remained calm in the top of the third, holding the Avenging Angels scoreless and stranding three runners on base. In the bottom of the third, Tart earned a two-out double down the third base line but was left stranded at second.
Meredith regained momentum at the plate in the top of the fourth putting three runs on the board off of four hits. Important defensive plays were made by George in the circle and Clarke at shortstop to end the rally. With one out, Lawson earned a four pitch walk to reach first in the bottom of the fourth, but was unable to score. The Avenging Angels were held scoreless in the top of the fifth going three-up-three-down with outs being gathered by Alli Stertzbach in left field and Lawson at third.
Despite their efforts, the Spirits were unable to respond after falling behind and the contest ended in five innings.
Stat Leaders:
Carlee Tart: 1 H, 1 RBI, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 PO, 11 A
Jelene Avila: 1 H, 2 RBI, 1 PO
Madison Talley: 1 H, 1 A, 1 SO
NeVaeha George: 4 SO
The Spirits will next be in action in a conference matchup AWAY vs North Carolina Wesleyan University on March 29th at 1pm and 3pm.
