SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 10 Salisbury University softball team captured its 14th straight Capital Athletic Conference title as it defeated York (Pa.) College, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon. It was the program's 15th overall title.

The Sea Gulls looked to be in a bind in the early moments of the game as the Spartans (33-8) had a runner on second base with one out. Heather Bormann was next to bat for York as she singled to left field but a smart leap by senior Kelly Waskewicz (Virginia Beach, Va.) froze the runner at second, as she thought Waskewicz had made the grab. With first and second base occupied senior catcher Lauren Brenneman (York, Pa.) was able to throw out Bormann going to second on a double steal attempt.  The next batter would strike out to end the top of the first.

Salisbury then took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, breaking a scoreless tie, as senior Rachel Hastings (Westborough, Mass.) started off the inning with a single through the left side followed by a sacrifice bunt by Waskewicz, who was safe at first due to a Spartan error. Senior Brittany Lounge (Pasadena, Md.) drove in the first run as she singled to center field. The next two runs crossed the plate off the bat of senior Ali Ritter (Belvidere, N.J.), who singled down the right field line for a 3-0 Sea Gull lead.

York was able to tack on a run in the top of the fourth inning off the bat of Brittany Schlorff but the Gulls responded by bringing in two additional runs in the bottom of the fourth to keep the lead with a score of 5-1.

The Spartan bats seemed to come alive in the top of the seventh inning but Salisbury's pitching and field play held strong as it ended the inning giving up only one run.

“It's our fourteenth year in a row winning the CAC tournament, which is important because it gives us an automatic qualifier into the NCAA tournament.” Salisbury coach Margie Knight said, “It was a lot of pressure upon us with our nice win streak [now 29 games] and to be able to win against a super team like York was really tough, but we got key hits when we needed them and sharp pitching by Kelly Leary when they got on base.”

Leary earned her 16th win of the season as she allowed only two runs off five hits, walked three and struck out seven.

The Gulls (29-2) are looking forward to their next two dates at home against Gettysburg College on April 21 and Catholic University on April 28, both with be doubleheaders, to close out their regular season and will wait to hear where they will be placed for the opening round of the NCAA tournament.