Salisbury softball takes down No. 24 Rowan, Frostburg State on Saturday

SALISBURY, Md. - The No. 21 Salisbury University softball team collected a pair of wins on Saturday afternoon as it would only need five innings of play to take down both No. 24 Rowan University, 11-3, and Frostburg State University, 8-0.

Rowan (1-1) would get on the board first but the Sea Gulls answered back in the bottom of the first inning to even the score 1-1 with an RBI single off the bat of senior Lauren Brenneman (York, Pa.). It would be the start of a big day for the Salisbury catcher.

Salisbury (5-2) increased its lead in the second and third innings to bring the score to 4-1 and then broke away in the bottom of the fourth. Senior designated hitter Brittany Lounge (Pasadena, Md.) started off the inning with a walk. Brenneman then sent her second home run of the season over the left field fence to bring in two runs. The Sea Gulls would continue to increase their lead as they brought in three more runs to end the inning ahead 9-3.

Junior pitcher Kelsey Mills (Frederick, Md.) came on in relief of junior Kelly Leary (Severn, Md.). Leary allowed three runs on six hits, walked four batters and struck out three to earn the win. Mills was able to preserve the Sea Gull lead in the top of the fourth as she came in with bases loaded and allowed only one hit and did not allow a run for the duration of the game.

Salisbury sealed the deal in the bottom of the fifth as freshman outfielder Michelle Gravdahl (Ellicott City, Md.) sent a hard shot up the middle to bring in two runs and win the game in five innings of play.

In Salisbury's second game of the day against Frostburg, sophomore pitcher Erika Brittingham (Georgetown, Del.) captured the win as she allowed one hit, walked one and struck out five working all five innings.

The score would remain tied until the top of the third inning when Brenneman sent her second home run of the day back over the left field fence to bring in three runs. In the top of the fourth senior shortstop Kelly Waskewicz (Virginia Beach, Va.) sent another bomb over the left field fence to tack on an additional three runs to bring the score to 6-0.

Brenneman led off the fifth inning sending her third home run of the day (fifth of the season) back over the left field fence for a solo shot and a 7-0 lead. Gravdahl would once again bring in the last run of the game as pinch runner Chelsea Brooks (Pleasantville, N.Y.) crossed the plate.

Salisbury will face Frostburg State University again on Sunday, March 7 at noon, followed by No. 24 Rowan University at 2 p.m.