The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (22-1-1, 8-0 ODAC) defeated No. 11 Salisbury in game one 5-2, and ran out of daylight in game two tied at 4-4.
Game One:
Laci Campbell led the Marlins as she went 2-for-3, scored two runs, with one RBI, and stole one base.
Morgan Tucker continued her good run of play going 2-for-3 with an RBI, and teammate
Sarah Prosser was 2-for-3 and scored two runs.
Lauren Bible got her 13th win of the year as she pitched 7.0 innings, allowed eight hits, two runs, one earned run, and struck out two.
In the bottom of the first inning, Virginia Wesleyan struck first with an impressive rally.
Laci Campbell reached base with a single up the middle. After
Mackenzie Myers flew out to center field, Campbell displayed some aggressive base running, stealing second base, after the ball hit a foot and went into left field Campbell quickly got up and ran all the way home to score.
The Marlins added to their lead in the third inning as
Alexis Hudgens walked and stole second base. Then, Prosser singled to third, setting up a productive sequence as Campbell came through with a timely single to center field, bringing Prosser to second while scoring Hudgens for a 2-0 lead. Myers grounded out to the pitcher, advancing both Campbell and Prosser into scoring position. The lead expanded to 3-0 as Campbell advanced to third on another passed ball, and Prosser scored on the same miscue. The scoring continued when M. Tucker singled down the right field line, driving in Campbell for a 4-0 advantage.
In the fifth inning, the offense for Virginia Wesleyan kept rolling. Prosser began the inning by reaching safely on an error by the third baseman. Campbell then drew a walk, putting runners at first and second with no outs. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, setting up a great scoring opportunity with runners on second and third. Myers capitalized on the moment, hitting a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Prosser, extending the lead to 5-0.
The Seagulls responded in the later innings. Scoring one run in the sixth and seventh and good defense got the Marlins out of a tight jam in the seventh to seal the 5-2 win.
Game Two:
Morgan Tucker led the offense as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI,
Sarah Prosser was 1-for-3, scored one run, and had one RBI, and
Mackenzie Myers was 1-for-2, scored two runs, and had one RBI.
With a tied game no pitcher got the decision, but
Hannah Hearl pitched 5.0 innings, allowed eight hits, four runs, and five strikeouts.
The Seagulls came out strong, jumping out to a 2-0 lead.
Virginia Wesleyan responded in the bottom of the first inning,
Mackenzie Myers drew a walk, and after a wild pitch allowed her to advance to second base,
Morgan Tucker came up clutch with a single down the right field line. Tucker's hit brought Myers home, giving Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 lead.
Moving to the third inning,
Alexis Hudgens led off with a single up the middle, but her attempt to steal second base was thwarted as the catcher caught her. Despite the early out, Virginia Wesleyan's offense continued to roll.
Sarah Prosser singled to third base, and
Laci Campbell grounded out to second base, advancing Prosser to second. Myers continued her strong play with a single to right field, driving in Prosser to tie the game at 2-2. Myers then advanced to second on another wild pitch.
Morgan Tucker, benefitting from an error in left field, reached base and advanced to second. Myers scored on the unearned run, putting Virginia Wesleyan ahead 3-2.
Salisbury scored a run in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3.
The Marlins kept up the pressure as
Julia Piotrowski led off with a walk and was advanced to second on an error by the second baseman.
Mackenzie Swanson then reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Piotrowski to move to third.
Haley Sadler laid down a sacrifice bunt, putting Swanson on second and Piotrowski on third. With runners in scoring position, Hudgens walked to load the bases.
Sarah Prosser then hit a fielder's choice that scored Piotrowski to give Virginia Wesleyan a 4-3 lead.
The Seagulls offense fought back and scored a run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 4-4. VWU came close to taking the lead in the fifth as
Morgan Tucker singled to left field, followed by a walk for
Olivia Knight. Piotrowski hit a sacrifice fly to right field that advanced Laird to third, and the pinch runner
Riley Curtice stole second before
Mackenzie Swanson came up to the plate. Unfortunately, Swanson flew out to center field and ended the game tied at 4-4.
