Vikings Split with Pilgrims in Non-Conference Action

SALEM, Mass. – Salem State softball welcomed the Pilgrims from New England College (NEC) for a non-conference doubleheader. Both teams found success on the evening as the Vikings took the 3-1 game one victory before the Pilgrims rallied to steal game two, 8-5.

Game One

• After being held hitless over the first three innings, the Pilgrims finally made some noise in the top of the fourth after a single from Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) brought a runner around for the first tally of the game.  
• A two-run double from Paige Souza (New Bedford, Mass.) in the home half of the fifth would highlight the Vikings' three-run inning and give Salem the 3-1 edge after five.
• The Pilgrims looked to rally in the seventh after two hits and a walk found three runners on base, but the Vikings defense would leave the runners stranded to end the inning, solidifying their 3-1 victory.

Game Two

• The Vikings were on the board early after a wild pitch brought a runner around and then a double from Emily Henning (Grafton, Mass.) brought home Salem's second run, giving them the 2-0 tilt after one.
• Salem doubled their lead an inning later when a Souza single brought around two runners to give the Vikings a four-run cushion.
• The Pilgrims would record their first tally in the third inning before Henning answered in the home half with a bomb over the left field fence to make it a 5-1 game.
• NEC began their rally in the fourth when three hits and one error on the Vikings' behalf brought four runs around and tied the game at five.
• The five-run stalemate would hold until the seventh inning when deep singles from Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) and Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) would bring three runs home and give the Pilgrims the 8-5 edge. The Vikings tried to pull out the heroics in the bottom of the seventh, but NEC would leave three runners on base to end the inning, stealing the 8-5 victory from the Vikings.

Noteworthy

• Grace Martineau (Westminster, Mass.) notched her first career victory on the mound for the Vikings.
• Souza had a productive night totaling five hits (5-7) and four RBIs over both games for the blue and orange.
• Henning has now notched at least one hit in the Vikings last four games as she went 4-7 from the plate tonight, highlighted by her second home run of the season.

The Vikings are back in conference play this Friday, March 29 when they travel to Fitchburg State to take on the Falcons for a doubleheader. Game times are scheduled for 5p.m. and 7p.m..