Site: Winston-Salem, N.C. | Blixt Field
Scores:
N.C. Wesleyan 15, Salem 0 (5 innings)
N.C. Wesleyan 4, Salem 3
Records: Salem (3-13, 1-5 USA South) / N.C. Wesleyan (17-8, 2-2 USA South)
Next Games:
Salem at Mary Baldwin | Staunton, Va. | Mary Baldwin Softball Complex | April 5 | 2:30 p.m. / 4:30 p.m.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Salem softball team wrapped up a doubleheader against USA South Conference rival N.C. Wesleyan by suffering a heartbreaking 4-3 setback in game two, following a four-run sixth inning by the Battling Bishops, after a 15-0 (five inning) setback in the opening game of the afternoon on Sunday, April 2nd at Blixt Field.
Salem tacked two runs on the board in the first inning after Kat Price dropped a single into right field, marking the first hit of the afternoon. Two batters later, with Savanah Atkins at first, the pair moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Carlee McWilliam. Shelby LaPoint followed in the lineup with a single to third, scoring Price and Atkins in succession for the 2-0 lead.
The lead grew to 3-0 in the fifth after Madeline Brown slapped a single to right to lead off the frame. Atkins drove a hard-hit grounder to third, which was misplayed by Molly Alejandrino, allowing Brown to scoot home in the process.
The Battling Bishops answered in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on five hits, scoring the go-ahead run on a single through the left side of the infield by Alexis Whitfield that plated pinch runner Deonna Adams.
Both Brown, who finished 2-for-4 and extended her hitting streak to a team-best ninth straight game, and LaPoint (1-3, 2 RBI) led the way for Salem at the plate. Meanwhile, solid defensive plays from Jocelyn Rogers at shortstop and a diving play by Cree Bass in the outfield, provided Price the defensive support that resulted in a complete game effort.
N.C. Wesleyan opened the afternoon by scoring 15 runs on 15 hits, capitalizing on three multi-run innings, to earn its first USA South win of the slate. Alejandrino (3-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs, HR) was one of five Battling Bishop sluggers with at least two hits in the first game.
GAME 1: N.C. Wesleyan 15, Salem 0 (5 innings)
W: Emily Humphrey (7-2) / L: Katie Gerhardt (2-5)
Salem Leaders: Kat Price (2-2), Madeline Brown (1-2), Alli Stertzbach (5 K's)
SALEM HIGHLIGHTS
-Stertzbach tosses 1.2 innings in her first relief appearance, closing with five strikeouts.
-Stertzbach has now had multiple strikeout performances on five occasions.
-Price notches her second multi-hit game of the season, finishing 2-for-2 at the plate, hitting second in the lineup.
-Brown extends her hitting streak to eight straight games with a 1-for-2 performance at the plate. That ties McWilliam for the longest hitting streak of the season for the Spirits.
-Brown's hitting streak began with a 2-for-3 outing against Ferrum (March 19-Game 2). She has three multi-hit games during her current eight-game streak.
-Gerhardt came through with a strikeout, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing six earned runs.
N.C. WESLEYAN HIGHLIGHTS
-The Battling Bishops closed the game with 15 hits, led by Molly Alejandrino, who finished 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs and two RBI. She connected on one of four extra-base hits, a home run.
-Both Savannah Thompson and Moe Byerly came through with doubles for the Battling Bishops.
-Makayla Simmons connected on a home run for N.C. Wesleyan.
-The Battling Bishops struck first with two runs in the second inning, adding 10 in the third, to move in front 12-0.
-N.C. Wesleyan added two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to finish the game with 15 runs.
-Five N.C. Wesleyan sluggers finished with two hits, including Lillie Baumbach, Makayla Simmons, Alexis Whitfield and Emily Humphrey.
GAME 2: N.C. Wesleyan 4, Salem 3
W: Emily Osteguin (4-0) / L: Kat Price (1-4)
Salem Leaders: Madeline Brown (2-4, run), Kat Price (1-2, run / 7 IP, 0 ER, 1 K), Shelby LaPoint (1-3, 2 RBI), Jocelyn Rogers (1-2)
SALEM HIGHLIGHTS
-Brown extends her hitting streak to nine straight games, a team-best this season, with a single to right to lead off the fifth inning.
-LaPoint had her second multi-RBI game of the season with a single to third in the bottom of the first, plating Savanah Atkins and Price for the 2-0 lead.
-Brown opened the fifth with a single to right field, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Price, before scoring on a fielding error at third on a sharply hit ball from Atkins, giving Salem a 3-0 lead.
-Brown has now amassed four two-hit games in 2023, all taking place in her nine-game hitting streak.
-Price the first Salem hit of the game, a single to right field, in the bottom of the first.
N.C. WESLEYAN HIGHLIGHTS
-Three Battling Bishop sluggers finished with two hits in the contest, including Molly Alejandrino (2-4, double), Moe Byerly (2-3) and Alexis Whitfield (2-3, RBI).
-Morgan Aycock, the N.C. Wesleyan starter in the circle, tossed four innings, allowed two runs on three hits and closed with four K's.
-Osteguin, who picked up the win, tossed the final three innings, allowed two hits and issued one walk.
