WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem softball team returns to the diamond this weekend for a four-game in two-day stretch that includes clashes with Randolph (Saturday, March 7) and Ferrum (Sunday, March 8). The first two games of the weekend, versus Randolph in Lynchburg, Va., are set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Spirits will make a return trip home to host Ferrum on Sunday, also at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Salem (3-5) is riding a three-game winning streak into the weekend after posting a 4-1 win over Huntingdon in the second game of a doubleheader on Feb. 29. The Spirits followed with back-to-back victories over Agnes Scott the following afternoon by scores of 5-4 and 10-4.
One of the primary Spirits leading the offensive charge last weekend was Breanna Herman, who was recognized as USA South Conference Softball Player of the Week by the league on Monday, March 2 after a series of standout performances.
Herman wrapped up a four-game weekend stretch by going 12-of-15 (.800 batting average) from the plate with six RBI and four runs scored. The Charlotte, N.C., native managed two doubles along the way to finish with a .933 slugging percentage and .800 on-base percentage. In the field, she had 16 put outs and one assist while recording a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
Herman leads the way for Salem on the season in hits (20), RBI (10) and batting average (.714), while owning a .929 slugging percentage. Three others, Miranda Barker (13), Brianne Coleman (10) and Brittany Morton (10) have double-digit RBI for Salem.
Morton has accounted for a team-best five doubles, two more than Herman and Emma Gaston, while Coleman leads the way in home runs with three. Coleman also leads the way for Salem in runs scored (10).
Kayla Ogle (2-0) leads the way on the mound for Salem after tossing 15 innings, allowing two runs on 14 hits and striking out five opposing hitters. Barker has logged the most innings (28.2) and leads the way for the Spirits in strikeouts (14).
Randolph (4-6) welcomes Salem after a split with Mary Baldwin on Thursday evening. The WildCats opened the doubleheader with a 6-4 setback, but retaliated with an 8-6 win in the nightcap to pick up their fourth win of the slate.
The top hitter in the Randolph lineup is Blair Epperson, who is 4-of-9 from the plate with a .444 batting average. Teammate Briana Harbison is second on the unit with a .429 average (9-of-21) and tied with Jhenai Sewer and Paige Naples for most RBI (five) on the team.
Danielle Shannon (2-0) is the top hurler on the staff, logging 15.1 innings, allowing 14 hits, 13 runs, 11 earned runs and 16 walks along the way. Both Braelyn Cooper and Abbi Pannill have one win each for Randolph.
Ferrum (8-0) heads into the weekend riding a nine-game regular season winning streak that began against Virginia Wesleyan on April 20, 2019. The Panthers have swept two-game series against Greensboro, Methodist, Piedmont International and Wilkes through the first month of the 2020 campaign.
This weekend they will head to North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to face Gwynedd Mercy, Rio Grande and St. Joseph (Conn.), before coming to Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sunday afternoon.
The top hitter in the Panthers' lineup is Lyndsey Sears (.545), who is 12-of-22 from the plate with a team-best nine RBI. Teammate Arielle Eure leads the way in most hits (13), which has come by virtue of two doubles, two triples and two home runs. Keri Hamlett has scored the most runs (14) for Ferrum on the slate.
Sears also anchors the Ferrum pitching staff with a team-best 26 strikeouts, resulting in a 4-0 mark and one save. She has logged 28 innings, allowed 10 earned runs and surrendered five walks.
For more information on Salem softball check out www.salemspirits.com.
