SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University softball team closed play in the Salisbury Invitational sponsored by the Optimist Club of Salisbury on Sunday morning, splitting its doubleheader against Immaculata University.

Game 1: Immaculata 6, Salisbury 5

In the opener, the Mighty Macs put early pressure on Salisbury, scoring three times in the game's first two innings against Salisbury starter Shannon Powell, with just two of the runs earned.

Through the first three innings, Immaculata starting pitcher Michaela Petito gave up just one hit to the Salisbury batters, but the Sea Gulls got to her in the fourth. The first three batters of the frame swung at the first pitch against Petito and all three resulted in hits. Dakotah Fraley and Annie Pietanza had singles, but it was freshman Madeira Alexander that came up with the big shot, a three-run home run, her second blast of the weekend, tying the game.

Salisbury took the lead in the next inning when Cat Ramagnano reached with her second hit of the game, and advanced on a wild pitch before Fraley came up with a base hit up the middle, scoring the run for a 4-3 advantage.

The Mighty Macs came up with two runs in the fifth to take the lead before Salisbury tied things again in the sixth on an infield single by Fraley, with two outs, scoring Sami Mumford.

Immaculata, however, was able to bring home the game-winning run in the seventh. The Mighty Macs loaded the bases with no outs against reliever Alexis Layton, and the sophomore was able to get the first out, but a hard grounder resulted in an infield base hit and the 6-5 Immaculata win.

Game 2: Salisbury 5, Immaculata 3

The Sea Gulls (10-4) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second game, scoring once in the first on Pietanza's single through the right side, and added three more in the third inning. In the three-run frame, Salisbury scored on an error and a wild pitch before Pietanza blasted her second home run of the season, a solo shot, to push the lead to 4-0.

Immaculata cut into the lead with two runs in the fourth and one more in the top of the sixth off Salisbury starter Rachael Milligan, but that was all the Mighty Macs (3-3) were able to manage against Milligan, who earned her second win of the weekend. The senior scattered six hits and a walk while striking out six in the contest.

Salisbury put one more run on the board with Mumford ripping a double down the right field line in the sixth inning to cap the scoring.

Mumford was one of four Sea Gulls with at least two hits in the game while Fraley led the way with three as Mumford, Pietanza, and Yanarella each had two.

The Sea Gulls are back in action on Wednesday, March 14 when they host Manhattanville College in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m.