Salem Softball competed in their final conference series of the season against Methodist University on Sunday afternoon, splitting with scores of 4-3 and 3-4.
Game 1:
After a one hour rain delay the Spirits were ready to take the field, however, they were unable to strike first despite a two-out double to left field from Reese Upton in the top of the first. Salem came out firing on all cylinders defensively to hold the Monarchs scoreless in the first, with key outs being recorded by Riley Dennis on the mound and Maleah Tate in center field. Salem remained scoreless in the second, however Madison Talley hit a one-out single to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kayla Dick. Salem continued to play clean defense in the bottom of the second with three quick outs being recorded by NeVaeha George at first, Camryn Clarke at second, and Dennis earning another K in the circle. Carlee Tart was a bright spot for the Spirits offensively in the top of the third, with a one-out single to center field that she capitalized on to advance to second before stealing third. Tate then walked and stole second, but both runners were left stranded from there. Methodist also continued to struggle at the plate remaining scoreless in the bottom of the third leaving two runners on with outs being gathered by Dick in left field, George at first, and Dennis.
Salem finally gained momentum at the plate in the top of the fourth to scratch one run across. Emma Greeson and Talley remained patient at the plate to earn walks and reach base. Dick then was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Greeson was brought home to score on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of George. The Monarchs responded instantly with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth with three hits and one runner left on. Crucial defensive plays were made by Morgan Lawson at third, Clarke at second, and Tart at short to end the inning. Salem was able to get one back in the top of the fifth with a one-out single to shortstop from Upton to reach base. Lawson then doubled to left field to advance Upton to third and she was then brought home to score on a sacrifice fly to center field from Greeson. After pulling the game within one, Salem reset defensively to have a three-up-three-down inning in the bottom of the fifth. The Spirits were unable to gain momentum in the top of the sixth, despite a one-out single from Clarke to right field. Methodist went three-up-three-down again in the bottom of the sixth thanks to the efforts of George, Tate, and Dick. With their backs against the wall, the Spirits rallied to tie the game at three in the top of the seventh. Tate led off with a single to the left side that was followed up by a single up the middle from Upton. Lawson then hit an RBI double down the left field line to score Tate and tie the game. Salem made quick work of the Monarchs in the bottom of the seventh with outs being recorded by Tate and Dick to send the game into extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Talley was placed on second due to international tie breaker rules. George hit a clutch two-out double to left field to score Talley and give the Spirits the lead.
Methodist was unable to respond in the bottom of the eighth with outs being recorded by Upton, Tart, and Greeson to secure the extra inning win for the visiting team.
Game 2:
Following the break, Salem was unable to get on the board early in the first despite a one-out single from Tate down the left field line before stealing second. Methodist came out swinging in the bottom of the first to score four runs on two hits. Critical defensive plays were made by Upton, Chloe Bailey-Bonomo, and Greeson to end the rally. The next two innings were scoreless for both teams with only three hits being recorded amongst both sides.
Salem finally got on the board in the top of the fourth with Lawson reaching base on a ball hit to the pitcher. Greeson then singled to left center and Talley singled to left field to load the bases. Dick then reached base on a ball hit to the left side and Lawson was brought home to score. Methodist was held scoreless in the bottom of the fourth with outs being recorded by Tart, Tate, and Greeson to end the inning. The fifth and sixth innings were two more scoreless innings for both teams with singles being hit by Upton, Talley, and Clarke during this time. George, Clarke, and Tate continued to be bright spots for Salem during this time to keep the game within reach. With their back against the wall again in the top of the seventh, Tate stepped up and singled to shortstop. Upton then hit a two run homer to left center to bring the Spirits within one. Lawson then doubled to left center as the tying run, but she was left stranded from there.
Despite their efforts, the Spirits were unable to battle all the way back with the contest ending in seven innings in favor of the home team.
Stat Leaders:
Morgan Lawson: 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 PO, 2 A
Maleah Tate: 3 H, 2 BB, 3 SB, 8 PO, 1 A
NeVaeha George: 1 H, 2 RBI, 5 PO
Riley Dennis: 5 SO
The Spirits will next be in action in the First Round of the USA South Softball Tournament AWAY vs Pfeiffer University on April 30th at 11am.
