WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Salem softball team returns to Blixt Field for the first of two home doubleheaders on Saturday, April 16th when the Spirits host USA South Conference foe Pfeiffer at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Salem (5-21, 2-10 USA South) is looking to even its home record to 6-6 on the season and at the same time halt a four-game losing streak that includes a pair of setbacks at Averett (7-4 / 6-0) and Methodist (7-1 / 7-0) on April 9th and 12th, respectively.

COME OUT AND SUPPORT CARRIE'S GIRLS: Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to purchase Italian Ice & More made by Carrie's Girls. Along with Italian Ice, they sell bottled water, Gatorade, soda and a variety of snacks. 

LOOKING AT THE SPIRITS: Madison Thomas continues to sit atop the Salem lineup in batting average with a .350 batting average by virtue of 14 hits in 40 at bats against USA South opposition. Thomas also is responsible for a .400 slugging percentage and a .395 on-base percentage with two doubles to her credit.

Madeline Brown (.286) is second on the unit versus USA South teams, followed by the combination of Arianna Ryan (.250), Brianne Coleman (.250) and Carlee McWilliam (.233).

In the last four games, against Averett and Methodist, Coleman led Salem in hits (four) and RBI (two). One of those hits resulted in her third career triple, which came in Fayetteville, N.C. on Tuesday. Both Savanah Atkins and Ryan added three hits for the Spirits, which included a double for Atkins on the slate.

Coleman collected two hits in the series openers against Averett and Methodist, giving her six two-hit games on the season, a team-high. Ryan and Thomas are tied for second with two each.

Thomas (1-4) and Katie Gerhardt (1-2) are the only two pitchers responsible for wins against USA South opponents. Thomas has logged 49 innings, allowed 41 runs (30 earned runs) and converted 23 strikeouts in nine appearances. Meanwhile, Gerhardt has tossed 8.2 innings, allowed 11 runs (nine earned runs) and made one strikeout.

ANALYZING THE FALCONS: Pfeiffer enters the game with a 24-8 overall mark and a 10-2 record in USA South Conference action.

The Falcons have won four of their last five since defeating Meredith 11-10 in the second game of a doubleheader. That includes a sweep of Greensboro (2-0 / 12-1 {5 inn.}) and a win in game one of the two-game clash with Averett (1-0). The Cougars rebounded to take game two by a 4-3 margin.

Pfeiffer has eight sluggers to appear in a minimum of 13 games hitting at least .305 on the season. That includes Alyssa Broaddus, who is boasting a .462 batting average for the Falcons. The quartet of Ashlyn Kennedy (38), Emma Chopko (32), Gracie Griffin (30) and Kyndell Warren (30) have at least 30 hits for Pfeiffer.

Pfeiffer has 60 extra-base hits on the season, including 56 doubles with the trio of Chopko (10), Warren (nine) and Kennedy (nine) leading the way.

Kennedy is also making her impact felt in the circle for Pfeiffer, boasting a 2.24 ERA and a 12-2 record on the season. Kennedy has tossed 78 innings, allowed 28 runs (25 earned runs) and converted a team-high 61 strikeouts.

ALL-TIME SERIES VERSUS PFEIFFER
(Pfeiffer leads series 5-1)