WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Riding a seven-game winning streak after a pair of doubleheader sweeps over the weekend against Randolph and Ferrum, the Salem softball team returns to Blixt Field on Wednesday, March 11, to host FDU-Florham at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Spirits (7-5) are in the middle of a six-game homestand which includes clashes with Ferrum (March 8), FDU-Florham and Wesleyan (Ga.), who will be visiting on Saturday, March 14. Salem is 2-2 at home this season with the setbacks coming to Guilford on Feb. 19.
Salem picked up its two home wins against Ferrum (4-0 / 2-1) on Sunday, March 8 behind the play of Madison Burch and Miranda Barker, who finished the day with four hits each. Burch closed out the doubleheader with an .833 slugging percentage (4-of-6, double, 2 RBI), while Barker finished 4-of-8 from the plate with a double, triple and one RBI, resulting in an .875 slugging percentage.
Salem hurler Kayla Ogle was also prominent in the team's success last week, posting a 2-0 record and 0.41 in three appearances and two starts. With her performance on the mound she received USA South Pitcher of the Week honors from the league office on Monday, March 9. Ogle, who made starts in the first games of doubleheaders with Randolph (March 7) and Ferrum (March 8), logged 15 innings, scattered 12 hits, surrendered one run and converted 11 strikeouts.
Breanna Herman leads the way for Salem at the plate with a .512 batting average (22-of-43), connecting on three doubles and a home run en route to 12 RBI. Brianne Coleman and Emma Gaston are tied for second on the team in batting average (.444), but Coleman leads the way in RBI (13) and home runs (three).
The top pitcher on the Salem staff is Ogle, who is 4-0 in six appearances with a 0.66 ERA. She has allowed just three runs to opposing hitters, while striking out 16. Barker tops the unit in strikeouts (17) in 40.2 innings of work.
FDU-Florham enters the game on a seven-game losing streak which dates back to a 9-1 setback to Wilkes University on April 27, 2019. Located in Madison, New Jersey, FDU-Florham is making a swing through North Carolina to face Methodist (March 7), William Peace (March 8) and Pfeiffer (March 10 / March 12) along with the Spirits.
The Devils faced off against Pfeiffer on Tuesday evening and were led offensively by the combination of Tara Morash (.500 batting average) and Dana Giardina (.462). That duo has combined for 14 hits, one triple and a pair of doubles.
On the mound the combination of Kaleigh Oplinger and Ciara Hoffman are both 0-3, but have accounted for six and three strikeouts, respectively.
For more information on Salem softball check out www.salemspirits.com.