SALISBURY, Md. – The second-ranked Salisbury University softball team suffered its first loss of the season in the opening game of the Margie Knight Softball Classic pres. by Crown Sports Center, falling 6-5 to the Lynchburg Hornets on Thursday afternoon at Margie Knight Sea Gull Softball Stadium.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lynchburg took advantage of a Salisbury fielding error for two unearned runs against starter Nicole Ortega in the top of the second. Madison Barnes doubled home one of the runs and Lexi Powell singled home the other.
• The Hornets struck again in the third, moving runners along for three runs on four hits – aided by two bases-loaded singles by Barnes and Powell that drove in two.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Abby Mace got the Sea Gull offense moving by reaching on an error, stealing second, and moving to third on a fly out. She eventually came in on a Natalie Paoli single to left field that made it 5-1.
• Salisbury had chances in the sixth and seventh innings, but stranded a runner in each frame.

SALISBURY GAME NOTES

• Abby Mace swiped two bags in the game, putting her at a perfect 6-for-6 on the season.
• Meghan Reed singled to continue her hot start to the season and is batting a team-high .636 over 22 at-bats.
• Emily Challender notched a single off the bench as a pinch hitter.
• Natalie Paoli, Sam Flowers, and Lauren Meyers each added a single, with Paoli driving in the Sea Gulls' only run.
• Nicole Ortega (3-1) pitched a complete game in the loss, allowing five runs on nine hits in seven frames.
• The game was SU's first in 13 days. The Sea Gulls last played on March 1 and had endured several weather-related cancelations since.

LYNCHBURG GAME NOTES

• Madison Barnes led the Hornet offense with two hits, two RBIs, and a run scored.
• Lexi Powell also drove in two runs.
• Kaleigh Hackett had one hit and was hit by a pitch, scoring twice.
• Kailey Dorcsis (5-0) pitched her own complete game, allowing one unearned run on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

UP NEXT

• The second game of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness in the top of the seventh inning with Salisbury leading 6-5. A decision as to when or whether the game will be finished will be made in the coming days.
• The Sea Gulls are set to play TCNJ and Carnegie Mellon on Saturday as part of the Margie Knight Classic pres. by Crown Sports Center. First pitch against TCNJ at Margie Knight Stadium is set for 1:15 p.m.

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 197 conference championships, and 45 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.