Salem Softball competed in their final home series of the season against Mary Baldwin University on Tuesday afternoon, sweeping by scores of 10-9 and 9-0. 

Game 1:

Mary Baldwin was held scoreless in the first inning, despite two runners reaching base with outs being recorded by Madison Talley on the mound and Carlee Tart at shortstop. At the plate, the Spirits got the scoring going early in the bottom of the first with Tart earning a lead off full count walk to reach base. Reese Upton then singled to the left side to move Tart into scoring position and both runners were brought home to score on a two RBI double from Morgan Lawson to left center. Mary Baldwin responded with two runs of their own in the top of the second on three hits and left one runner on base. Tart, Talley, and Lawson at third base all recorded outs to end the inning. Salem was held scoreless in the bottom of the second, going three-up-three-down. Mary Baldwin remained steady offensively in the top of the third and scored three runs on three hits to regain the lead. Key defensive plays were made by Tart and Kayla Dick in right field to end the rally. Maleah Tate hit a one out single in the bottom of the third and made her way all the way to third, however she was left stranded from there.

Mary Baldwin regained their momentum at the plate in the top of the fourth and scored four runs on four hits. Crucial defensive plays were made by Tart and Tate in center field to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Spirits remained cold at the plate and had another three-up-three-down inning. Defensively Salem remained calm and had a quick inning of their own, sitting the Fighting Squirrels down three in a row in the top of the fifth. NeVaeha George was a bright spot for Salem in the bottom of the fifth with a one out single to right field. Tart and Tate then remained patient at the plate to earn walks and load the bases. Upton then hit a three RBI double down the left field line to clear the bases. Lawson then hit her second double of the day to score Upton and bring the Spirits within three. Mary Baldwin was held scoreless in the top of the sixth thanks to a 4-6-3 double play turned by Camryn Clarke, Tart, and Talley. Dick led off for the Spirits in the bottom of the sixth singling to right field. Tart then earned her third walk of the day and Tate singled to the left side to load the bases. Upton then hit a grand slam four RBI homer over the center field fence to clear the bases and give the Spirits the lead. 

Mary Baldwin was unable to respond after giving up the lead going three-up-three-down in the top of the seventh, with the contest ending in favor of the home team.

Game 2:

Salem remained locked in defensively following the break, making quick work of the Fighting Squirrels in the top of the first with outs being recorded by Clarke at second, Alli Stertzbach in right field, and Riley Dennis on the mound. Tart led off for the Spirits in the bottom of the first and cashed in on a full count single to center field, however she was left stranded after stealing second. Mary Baldwin remained scoreless in the top of the second thanks to a strikeout earned by Dennis in the circle and a double play made by a diving Clarke. Salem gained momentum at the plate to score two runs on two hits in the bottom of the second. Emma Greeson led off with a single to the left side that was followed by a sacrifice bunt from Clarke to move the runner. George then hit a two run bomb over the left field fence to give Salem the lead. Salem remained settled on defense with another quick outing in the third with two strikeouts being recorded by Dennis and a fly out to Clarke. The Spirits continued to swing a hot bat and scratched five runs across the plate on four hits in the bottom of the third. Lawson earned a full count walk that was followed by an RBI double from Upton. Greeson also walked and with runners on the corners, Clarke singled up the middle to score Upton. George then earned a four pitch walk to load the bases and Stertzbach doubled down the left field line to score Clarke and the pinch runner Amy McLamb. Chloe Bailey-Bonomo kept things rolling with a single to the left side to score George and give the Spirits the seven run lead. 

Mary Baldwin remained quiet at the plate in the top of the fourth going three-up-three-down. Defensive plays were made by Tart, Tate, and Lawson to end the inning. Salem regained momentum offensively in the bottom of the fourth and scored two runs on three hits. Tate hit a lead off single before stealing second to earn the 100th stolen base of her career. Lawson then singled to the right side before also stealing second. Upton then reached base on a bunt that scored Tate from third. Greeson then singled to the left side to score Lawson. 

With their backs against the wall, Mary Baldwin was unable to cut into the deficit with the contest ending in five innings. 

Stat leaders:

Maleah Tate: 3 H, 1 BB, 2 SB, 4 PO

Morgan Lawson: 3 H, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB, 2 PO, 4 A

NeVaeha George: 2 H, 1 BB

Riley Dennis: 5 SO

The Spirits will next be in action in their final conference matchup AWAY vs Methodist University on April 26th at 11am and 1pm.