Salem softball competed in a home series against Piedmont University on Wednesday afternoon and dropped both by scores of 4-3 and 10-8 at Blixt Field.

Game 1:

The Spirits started out hot defensively, going three up, three down in the first inning with Madison Talley earning all three putouts on the mound. Offensively, the Spirits threatened early in the first inning, however they were unable to scratch any runs leaving two on base. The Lions were able to capitalize in the second inning and scored the first run of the game for either team. The Spirits were unable to respond immediately at the plate in the second inning, despite Kayla Dick reaching base on a hit by pitch. Defense remained stellar for the Spirits in the third inning, with the final two outs being recorded on a double play turned by Carlee Tart at second base. The Spirits threatened with bases loaded on two walks and a single by Karma Morrison in the bottom of the third, however they were unable to get any runs across the plate.

The Lions were able to capitalize again in the fourth inning to score one run on three hits, leaving two on base. The Spirits remained scoreless in the fourth inning, leaving one runner on base. Defensively the Spirits stayed focused in the fifth inning, with outs being recorded by Dick in left field and Maleah Tate in center field. Tart led off the fifth inning with a walk that was instantly followed up by a single from Tate. Morrison then reached on a hit by pitch to load the bases. Reese Upton earned a walk to bring home Tart and Morgan Lawson singled to left field to score Tate. Camryn Clarke kept the scoring going, hitting an RBI sacrifice fly to center field to score Morrison. The Lions were unable to respond in the sixth inning leaving one runner on base. The Spirits maintained their lead to one run going into the seventh inning, unable to score despite a walk drawn by Tart in the bottom of the sixth. The Spirits got two quick outs in the top of the seventh, however the Lions were able to scratch two runs across the plate on two hits. 

Despite their efforts, the Spirits were unable to bounce back after giving up the lead with the contest ending after seven innings.

Game 2:

The Lions got the scoring going early in the first inning, scratching two runs across the plate on four hits. Tart led things off on a high note for the Spirits, with a single to left field. However, they were unable to score and left two runners on base. The Lions remained steady at the plate, scoring one run in the second off of one hit and left one on base. Clarke started the second inning off with a single that was followed up by another single from Dick. The Spirits earned their first run of the game with Clarke scoring on the throwdown to second. The Lions were held scoreless in the third inning, with two strikeouts being recorded by Riley Dennis on the mound. The Spirits were also held scoreless in the third, despite singles from Morrison and Upton. 

The Lions gained momentum at the plate to score two runs on two hits in the fourth inning, but key defensive plays were made by Lawson at third base. The Spirits were held scoreless for the fourth, fifth, and sixth inning, while the Lions were able to scratch another run across the plate in the fifth on two hits. Dick continued to be a bright spot for the Spirits on defense, coming up with two more outs in left field. The Spirits were able to hold the Lions scoreless in the sixth inning, with key plays being made by Lawson and Tart. The Lions were able to add one more to their lead in the seventh inning on three hits. With the game on the line, the Spirits rallied with two outs to tie the score at seven to seven after seven innings. NaVaeha George began the rally with a two-out single and from there a series of walks and singles by Tate, Morrison, Lawson, and a double by Clarke were strung together to produce six runs for the Spirits. 

With the international tie breaker rules in effect, the Lions scratched one run across the plate in the top of the eighth to take the lead. The Spirits responded with a run of their own with Dick scoring on a single by George. In the top of the ninth the Lions were to score two runs on four hits, however their momentum came to a screeching halt with Tart's throw to Upton at home to get the runner at the plate and end the inning. 

Despite their efforts, the Spirits were unable to respond with two runs of their own and the contest ended in nine innings. 

Stat Leaders:

Carlee Tart: 1 H, 5 BB, 1 SB, 8 PO

Karma Morrison: 3 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 16 PO

Camryn Clarke: 2 H, 1 RBI, 3 PO

NeVaeha George: 2 H, 1 RBI

The Spirits will next be in action in a non-conference matchup at Home vs Covenant College on March 7th at 12pm and 2pm.