SALISBURY, Md. - The No. 19 Salisbury
University softball team won its 24th consecutive game on Friday as
the Sea Gulls dominated Hood College, 15-0, in the second round of
the Capital Athletic Conference tournament at home.
The top-seeded Sea Gulls (28-4) captured the victory in five
innings of play over fourth-seed Hood College to advance to
Saturday's semifinal game against second-seed University of Mary
Washington at 2 p.m. SU has won 12 conference titles in a row, 13
overall.
Salisbury started the game strong against the Blazers (10-22) as
junior shortstop Kelly Waskewicz (two runs)
doubled to right-center field. Designated player Brittany
Lounge followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Waskewicz
over. Junior catcher Lauren Brenneman (two runs,
two hits, two RBIs) brought in the game's first run as she singled
to center field. The Gulls were able to bring in two more runs in
the inning as they took a 3-0 lead into the second inning.
Salisbury went on to score four additional runs in the bottom of
the second as Brenneman, senior outfielder Meaghan
O'Gara (two runs, two hits, three RBIs) and senior second
baseman Stacey Malarkey (two runs, three hits,
three RBIs) combined to knock in four runs.
The Blazers were not able to score a run throughout the contest
as senior pitcher Stacy Davis (16-2) allowed three
hits and struck out seven. Davis (one hit, two RBIs) was able to
help her cause with a RBI-single in the bottom of the third inning
which brought in Malarkey.
SU sealed the deal in the bottom of the third as it scored eight
runs and batted round. O'Gara was able to bring in sophomore third
baseman Kristin Lord (two runs) and pinch hitter
junior Amanda DeMoine was able to tack on two runs
as she singled to left field which brought in Waskewicz and O'Gara.
Malarkey brought in the fourth run of the inning as she singled to
left field followed by Davis's hit down the left field line which
brought in the fifth run. Pinch hitter Taylor Webb
got into the mix as she singled to third base and added another run
on the board. The Gulls went on to score two additional runs in the
inning off the bat of O'Gara and the sharp eye of Waskewicz who was
walked with the bases loaded.
The Sea Gulls are the weekend host of the double-elimination
conference tournament. There are four games slated to be played at
the SU Softball Complex on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. The
championship will be crowned on Sunday.
