Vikings Drop Two in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Salem State softball dropped two games (8-0, 8-3) this afternoon to Rhode Island College (RIC) in non-conference action. The Vikings are back in conference play on Saturday when they will welcome the Owls of Westfield State for a doubleheader.

GAME 1:

• Rebecca Walker (Lynn, Mass.) started the game with a double for the Vikings, but the Anchormen would retire the next two batters to leaver her on base to head into the home half of the inning.
• Alexis Boyce (Wolcott, Conn.) sent an RBI single to left field to give the Anchormen the early 1-0 lead to head into the second inning where Rhode Island was able to build on their lead after four hits spearheaded them to a 6-0 advantage.
• RIC would add another run in the third before the Vikings tried to get on the board in the fourth after back-to-back singles from Mackenzie DeSantis (Ridge, N.Y.) and Emily Henning (Grafton, Mass.) but they would be left on base to close the inning.
• Noelle Simmons would drive in the eighth run for the Anchormen to solidify the 8-0 victory for her squad in the fifth inning.

GAME 2:

• Payton Jeffers (Holly Ridge, N.C.) started the second game with a single up the middle to bring Walker home and notch the Vikings' first run on the afternoon. The Anchormen wasted no time reclaiming the lead when they crossed the plate twice to take the 2-1 edge.
• A pitcher's duel ensued for the next two innings before the Anchormen added another run to their total in the bottom of the fourth.
• Highlighted by aggressive base running and a Walker single, the Vikings tied the game at three to head into the sixth inning where the Anchormen took a five-run advantage after Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn.) launched a two-run homer over the center field fence.
• RIC would hold the Vikings hitless in the top of the seventh to cruise to the 8-3 victory.