MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Salem softball team earned its first win of the 2020 season, capturing the second game of a doubleheader against USA South Conference member Huntingdon by a 4-1 score on Saturday, Feb. 29 in Montgomery, Ala.
The Spirits (1-5) scored three of their four runs in the second inning, which opened with a double to centerfield by sophomore Brianne Coleman. Two batters later, with runners on first and second, Breanna Herman lifted a double to left centerfield to score Coleman for the first run of the game. Hannah Escala reached base on a fielder's choice, placing runners on the corners.
Savanah Atkins continued the hot-hitting second for Salem, connecting on a single through the left side of the infield to stretch the lead to 2-0 as Herman crossed the plate. Kayla Ogle followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Escala as the Spirits forged in front 3-0.
Coleman was again the catalyst to a Salem run in the third, reaching on an error early in frame. After Jessica Cummings reached base on a walk, Herman dropped a single into left centerfield, extending the Spirits' advantage to 4-0.
Huntingdon (4-4) scored its lone run in the fifth when Gabby Patterson came through with a pinch hit single to left that plated Emma Spurlin from third.
Herman led the way at the plate for Salem, finishing 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, including a double. Coleman (1-4, 2 runs) was also responsible for a double in the contest. Salem tallied seven hits throughout the course of the game.
Ogle (1-0) picked up her first win of the campaign by virtue of scattering seven hits over seven innings, while striking out two Huntingdon hitters.
Game 1: Huntingdon 5, Salem 4
A one-out hit in the bottom of the seventh inning off the bat of Huntingdon's Gabby Peterson drove home teammate Lydia Lewis as the Hawks earned a 5-4 victory over Salem in game one of the doubleheader between the two teams.
Huntingdon (4-3) had four hitters with two hits in the game, including Lewis, who finished 2-for-4 from the plate with a run and an RBI. The others included Mollie Singletary (2-4), Emily Nieuwstraten (2-3, run) and Caitlyn Caffee (2-3, RBI, run, double). The Hawks tallied 11 hits in the one-run win, helping Madison Hunt (4-0) remain perfect on the season after allowing 10 hits, four runs, three walks and striking out five Salem hitters.
Salem (0-5) was led at the plate by the trio of Brittany Morton (2-3, run, double), Miranda Barker (2-4, run) and Breanna Herman (2-4, 2 RBI). Seven of the 10 hitters in the lineup collected at least one base knock for the Spirits, including Savanah Atkins, who also had a double for Salem. Barker tossed 6.1 innings for the Spirits, scattering 11 hits and five runs along the way, and recorded four strikeouts.
Huntingdon grabbed the lead with a three-run second inning, which began with a single up the middle by Nieuwstraten. Caffee doubled to left center, plating Nieuwstraten in the process, to provide the Hawks with a 1-0 lead. With Caffee at third and pinch runner Madisson Smith at first, Michaela Denney roped a single through the right side of the infield to stretch the Huntingdon lead to 3-0.
Salem answered with a multi-run inning in the third after Hannah Thompson began the frame with a single up the middle. Three batters later, with Thompson on second and Morton at first, Barker delivered a single down the left field line to load the bases for Brianne Coleman. Coleman worked the count in her favor, drawing the walk for the first Salem run of the game.
Morton scooted home with Salem's second run on a wild pitch. Breanna Herman found a hole in the right side of the infield, plating Coleman and Barker, to give the Spirits a 4-3 lead.
The Hawks eventual tied the game at four-all in the fifth, following a single to left by Lewis, who plated Madison Perryman.
Salem returns to action on Sunday, March 1, when the Spirits head to Agnes Scott for a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. For more information on Salem softball check out www.salemspirits.com.