ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University softball team went 1-1 versus Salem, losing the first game 7-1 before rebounding to win game two 4-1, Thursday afternoon in non-conference play at the CU Softball Field.
Concord is now 5-12 on the year while Salem has a .500 record of 6-6.
Game 1: Salem 7 – Concord 1
Salem scored three runs in the sixth to break open a close game for the first five innings.
The Tigers got a run in each of their first two at-bats to go up 2-0. Sophomore infielder
Courtney Raines answered for CU in the bottom of the second with her first career home run, a solo shot out to left field.
After a scoreless third, Salem plated a run in the fourth. However, Concord was able to escape a big inning as sophomore pitcher
Nancy-Jo Roberts left the bases loaded. Salem added to the lead with a score in the fifth.
CU's offense tallied seven hits with sophomore utility
Kylee Stacy collecting two, including a double.
Roberts (3-7) pitched 4.1 innings as she allowed four runs (two earned) and struck out three.
Game 2: Concord 4 – Salem 1
The Mountain Lions broke open a scoreless game in the fourth before adding some insurance later in the contest.
Three of the first four batters reached to start the fourth on a walk and two infield singles. After a sharp lineout to left field for the second out of the inning, it appeared SU may get out of the inning. But freshman catcher/utility
Lorelai Ellerby came through with a single through the left side to break the 0-0 deadlock.
Senior catcher/first baseman
Jolie Privett followed with a two RBI single into right field.
With the CU offense taking some time to heat up, sophomore pitcher/outfielder
Rachael Koller kept the Tigers quiet at the plate as she allowed just two base runners in the first four innings.
Salem struck for a run in the top of the fifth, but Koller stranded the tying run on base to end the inning.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame, Raines drove in her second run of the doubleheader with a sacrifice fly into center field.
Sophomore pitcher
Caitlyn Bauer was called on to get the final six outs of the game as she retired all six batters she faced. Bauer earned her first career save while notching two strikeouts.
Koller (2-3) struck out three and scattered three hits and a run in five innings.
Freshman first baseman
Morgan Cline, sophomore outfielder
Delaney Fulk and Privett all had two hits. Privett drove in two runs.
Concord finishes its eight-game homestand against Bluefield State 1:00 p.m. Friday.
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