SALISBURY, Md. – The No. 18 Salisbury University softball team split Wednesday's doubleheader against Virginia Wesleyan College, falling to the Marlins, 2-0, in game one but took the early advantage in game two to come out with the 4-2 victory.

Senior pitcher Erika Brittingham took the circle for game one and started off the contest by allowing a double from Tori Higginbotham but then struck out the next three batters, keeping the Marlins off the scoreboard.

The Sea Gulls found themselves with two runners on base in the bottom of the first but could not manage a hit as Kristina Karagiorgis kept the Gulls off balance, ending the scoring threat.

In the top of the third inning, Brittingham found the bases loaded but helped out her own cause fielding a single and throwing home to junior Michelle Gravdahl who tagged a Marlin baserunner keeping the scored tied, 0-0, and giving the Gulls two outs. The Marlins were able to bring two runs across the plate, however, due to a Sea Gull error.

Salisbury (11-5) had its best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Gulls had the tying runs on first and second but a strikeout ended the game.

Brittingham (7-3) allowed two runs off of eight hits while walking one and striking out 11.

In game two, Salisbury struck first in the bottom of the first to take the early 2-0 lead. Gravdahl singled through the left side, allowing junior Hannah Mills an opportunity to bring home a run. Mills did just that, crushing her fifth home run of the season to deep center field.

The Sea Gulls strengthened their lead during the second inning, bringing two more runs across the plate.

Senior Casey Zaino led off for the Gulls driving the ball up the middle for a single. Junior Lindsay McCabe then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Zaino into scoring position. Sophomore Molly Gigioli then doubled to left field, scoring Zaino, and advanced to third due to a fielding error. Gigioli then touched home, taking advantage of another Marlin error.

Pitcher Rachel Johnson (3-2) kept the Marlins guessing as she pitched the first five innings and then came back into the game to relieve sophomore Kathryn Larson after giving up two runs. Johnson ended the game with six innings pitched. The Preston, Md., native walked two while striking out eight batters.

The Gulls will return to action as they host the Salisbury Invitational this Friday and Saturday at the SU Softball Field. The Sea Gulls will first play Grove City College on Friday, March 16. The first pitch is slated for 1 p.m.