WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem softball team earned a doubleheader sweep and picked up its first USA South Conference victories of the season with a series of 6-3 and 9-1 (5 inn.) wins over Southern Virginia on Wednesday, April 6th at Blixt Field.
GAME 1: Salem 6, Southern Virginia 3
Savanah Atkins led the way at the plate and Madison Thomas put together a solid performance in the circle as snapped a six-game losing streak and picked up its first USA South Conference victory with a 6-3 victory over Southern Virginia.
Atkins capped off a 2-for-2 day at the plate with four RBI, which came by virtue of a home run and a double. Joining her with multiple hits for the Spirits (4-17, 1-6 USA South) was Arianna Ryan, who was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a double of her own.
Thomas (4-8) picked up her fourth win on the season and first in league action after tossing a complete game nine hitter. Thomas, allowed three runs and one earned run in the victory, while striking out six Knight hitters. It marked the fourth time this season that Thomas has notched at least five strikeouts in a game and the first time against a USA South opponent.
Southern Virginia established a 1-0 advantage in the first inning when Krystal Kemp roped a single down the right field line, scoring Chloe Nelson from second and advancing teammate Allie Cordero to third. Salem manufactured a run of its on in the frame when Madison Thomas drew a leadoff walk. Arianna Ryan followed with a double to left centerfield, moving Thomas to third, before a grounder to second by Brianne Coleman plated Thomas for the tying run.
After two scoreless innings, Atkins put the Spirits in front in the bottom off the third with a two-run home run over the left field wall. Ryan came through with her second hit of the game, a single to centerfield, but was unable to advance to second as the Knights got her on a fielder's choice that put Coleman at first. Atkins followed in the lineup and battled through a 15-pitch at-bat with Kemp before driving a towering shot to left.
The Knights trimmed the Salem lead to one run in the top of the fourth, following an RBI single to second by Halle Maddock that plated Emily Oldham. Southern Virginia had two more hits in top of the fifth, including a leadoff double to left centerfield by Nelson. Nelson slid to third on a single by Kemp, scoring the following play when Afton Brown reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Brown to beat out the throw at home to knot the game at 3-3.
The Spirits had their second multi-run inning of the game in the fifth, which began when Ryan reached first on a throwing error at third. Coleman, who also reached on an infield miscue, put runners at first and second for Atkins. Atkins delivered a key double into left field, forging Salem in front 5-3, as she advanced to third on the throw. Carlee McWilliam was responsible for the third run of the inning, singling to left field as she scored Atkins for the 6-3 lead.
GAME 2: Salem 9, Southern Virginia 1 (5 innings)
Salem's offense was sparked by nine walks issued by Southern Virginia (2-24, 0-10 USA South) pitchers Halle Maddock and Allie Cordero. Meanwhile, Spirits hurler Katie Gerhardt (1-3) earned her first collegiate victory after tossing five innings, allowing one run and issuing five free passes of her own.
Madison Thomas (2-2, 2 runs) was the lone Salem hitter in the game with two hits. Both Gerhardt and Carlee McWilliam picked up RBI for Salem via sacrifices.
Salem exploded for six runs in the first inning, taking advantage of six walks, one hit by pitch and two hits in the process. The duo of Madison Thomas and Arianna Ryan drew walks to open the inning for Salem, putting two on for Brianne Coleman, who came through with a single to right that scored Thomas on a throwing error for the 1-0 lead.
With two runners in scoring position, Savanah Atkins drew a walk to load the bases for Carlee McWilliam, who flied out to left field for the game's second run. Katie Gerhardt loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch and teammate Faythe Bowles capitalized on a walk for an RBI and a 2-0 Salem lead.
Madeline Brown drew a walk to extend the advantage to 3-0 when Atkins crossed the plate. Thomas returned to the plate with a single to short, scoring Shelton as the advantage grew to four. The final run of the first inning crossed the plate when Ryan drew her second walk of the frame, allowing Bowles to trot from third.
The Spirits kept their scoreless lead intact in the bottom of the third, adding two runs along the way, moving in front 8-0. Bowles led off the inning with a single to right and moved to second on a walk with Brown at the plate. After Madison Thomas was hit on the foot, loading the bases, Ryan reached on a fielder's choice for the first out of the inning. A wild pitch brought home Brown for the 7-0 lead and first run of the inning. Coleman followed with a grounder to short, scoring Thomas, establishing an 8-0 lead for the Spirits.
After Southern Virginia put its lone run of the game across in the top of the fifth, Salem answered with a run in the bottom of the frame to complete the run-rule. With Coleman at the plate, a wild pitch skated to the backstop, allowing Brown to score from third with the bases loaded.
The Spirits return to action on Saturday, April 9th, when they head to Danville, Va., for a clash with USA South Conference rival Averett at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.