WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Madison Burch and Miranda Barker finished the day with four hits each and led the way for the Salem softball team which moved its winning streak to seven straight following wins by 4-0 and 2-1 against Ferrum at Blixt Field on Sunday, March 8.
Burch finished the doubleheader with an .833 slugging percentage (4-of-6, double, 2 RBI), while Barker closed 4-of-8 from the plate with a double, triple and one RBI, resulting in an .875 slugging percentage. Barker also came through her third straight win on the mound for Salem, moving to 3-3. Teammate Kayla Ogle remains unbeaten (4-0) after tossing a complete game five-hitter, striking out five Ferrum batters along the way.
GAME 1: Salem 4, Ferrum 0
In their first home appearance since Feb. 19 against Guilford, Salem broke a scoreless tie in the home half of the third. The inning began with a single by Madison Thomas, who moved to second two batters later when Amanda Dacunto was plunked by a pitch. Miranda Barker lifted a single into right centerfield, scoring Thomas to provide Salem with the 1-0 lead.
Brianne Coleman followed with a single to centerfield, which plated both Dacunto and Barker as the Spirits led by a 3-0 margin. The final run crossed the plate when Madison Burch connected on a single centerfield, scoring Coleman in the process.
The Spirits allowed just three Ferrum hits over the final four innings to complete their first shutout since April 20, 2019, when they downed Greensboro 7-0 in the first round of the USA South Tournament.
Barker led Salem at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Burch closed out the win by going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Dacunto was the only Spirit hitter with an extra-base hit, finishing with a double.
Ogle, who picked up her fourth win of the season, allowed five hits over seven innings while converting five strikeouts.
GAME 2: Salem 2, Ferrum 1
Amanda Dacunto opened the seventh with a double off the left field wall. Miranda Barker quickly followed with a double to right, scoring Dacunto to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Ferrum struck first in game two, taking advantage of an RBI single by Bayley Cunni that plated Keri Hamlett in the top of the third.
Salem manufactured its first run of the game in the home half of the fourth when Jessica Cummings drew a leadoff walk. Two batters later, Hannah Escala connected on a single, sliding Cummings into scoring position at second. With two outs, Brittany Morton came through with a double to right, knotting the game at one-all.
The Spirits took their first lead of the game in the sixth when with two out and Madison Thomas on first, Escala drew a walk to keep the inning alive. Burch followed with a double into left field, scoring Thomas and moving Escala to third.
Ferrum rallied to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the bottom of the inning dramatics.
Burch finished off the second game as the lead hitter for the Spirits, going 2-of-3 from the plate with an RBI. She was one of four Spirit hitters with a double, including Morton, Dacunto and Barker.
Barker, who worked the complete game, scattered eight hits, allowed two runs and struck out two Panther batters.
The Spirits continue their homestand on Wednesday, March 11 when they host FDU-Florham for a doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Blixt Field. For more information on Salem softball check out www.salemspirits.com.
