FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The No. 11 Salisbury University softball team opened the 2011 season on Friday with a pair of wins at the Methodist Early Bird Tournament, hosted by Methodist University. The Sea Gulls topped Roanoke College, 4-0, and followed that with a resounding 14-1 victory against North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Junior Erika Brittingham got the season started off in a big way, tossing a no-hitter against Roanoke; the no-no was the first of her collegiate career. The Georgetown, Del., native only saw three runners reach base, two after being hit by a pitch, the third on an error. She also registered 14 strikeouts.

At the plate, sophomore Michelle Gravdahl opened the season with a solo home run as she went 2-for-4. Freshman Harley Hill began her career with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate while sophomore Hannah Mills was 2-for-4 and drove home a run.

The trio of hitters kept their strong day going in the second contest. Hill belted her first collegiate home run and added a double while driving in three runs. Mills also cracked a home run while driving in three runs. Gravdahl reached base five times in the game, on a pair of singles and three walks.

Senior Kelly Leary picked up the win against N.C. Wesleyan, striking out six and allowing just one hit in four innings of work. Junior Jamie Wells matched her career high, tossing three innings in relief, while scattering five hits and striking out one.

The Sea Gulls (2-0) will be back in action on Saturday morning when they take on No. 3 Louisiana College at 11 a.m. Salisbury will close out play in the event, as they take on the Methodist at 1 p.m.