SALISBURY, Md. - The Salisbury University softball team ended the first day of the Sea Gull Invitational with a split as the Gulls defeated Cabrini College, 17-7, after they the first game 6-3 to Wilkes University at Henry S. Parker softball complex.

The Sea Gulls (6-2) got off to a hot start against the Cavaliers as they scored seven runs in the first two innings. Salisbury was led by senior Nichole Fuqua (2-for-4, three RBI), freshmen Ali Ritter (2-for-2, four RBI) and Kelly Waskewicz (3-for-5, two RBI) who all slammed a homerun for the Gulls in the 10-run win. Junior Meaghan Murphy and sophomore Stacey Malarkey each went 2-for-3 on the day and combined for five RBI.

Junior right hander Kirsten Wells (3-1) earned the win for the Gulls as she went five innings and gave up three runs and three hits.

Cabrini (0-10) tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning as they hit three homeruns in a four batter span to cut the deficit in half at 14-7. Salisbury added three in the six to close out the victory.

In the Wilkes game, the Colonels (5-3) scored in each of the first three innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead. The Colonels were led at the plate by Kathy Dalton and Gina Stefanelli who each went 2-for4 with two RBI. Stefanelli started the scoring when she hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.

The Sea Gulls started to rally in the sixth as they got back-to-back jacks from Malarkey and Fuqua to cut the lead to 6-3. Wilkes pitcher Laurie Agresti (3-1) got out of the sixth inning jam with a ground out to third base and went on to strikeout the side in the seventh to end the game. Agresti had nine strikeouts and gave up six hits.  

Wells suffered her first loss of the season as she went one and one third innings and gave up four hits and five runs.

The Sea Gull Invitational continues tomorrow as the Sea Gulls will face Christopher Newport at 10 a.m. followed by King's at 2 p.m. Both of those games will be played on field two.