Softball can't keep up with Salem State in MASCAC doubleheader

Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information

Salem, Mass. -- Salem State swept a MASCAC doubleheader against MCLA on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field. In game one, IIeish Burney (Bristol, Conn.) pitched a three-hitter and Samantha Holey (Lynn, Mass.) added a three-run home run as the Vikings cruised to a 4-1 victory. In game two, Meghan Black (Winchendon, Mass.) pitched five shutout innings, allowing just six hits as she improved to 8-2 on the season. Salem State is now 13-5 and 3-1 in the MASCAC while the Trailblazers go to 0-16 and 0-4 in conference. 

Game 1

Salem State wasted no time scoring in the first, as Holey launched her first home run of the year following back-to-back infield singles for a 3-0 Vikings' lead.

Chloe Manousos (Lowell, Mass) then added an RBI double in the second to increase the margin to 4-0.

MCLA starter Morgan Watson (Portland, Ore.) settled in after the second, shutting down the Salem State offense the rest of the way by allowing just two hits over the final five innings. The Trailblazers spoiled the shutout, plating a run in the sixth on an RBI single by Erika Quackenbush (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.). 

Manousos finished the day 3-for-4 for the Vikings with a double, RBI and run scored. Burney allowed an unearned run and had four strikeouts and did not walk a batter as she registered her fifth win of the season.

Watson pitched a complete game for MCLA, giving up four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts in the loss.

Game 2

Salem State opened the second game with two straight singles, and Manousos continued her hot day, lacing a triple that hugged the right field line for two early runs. Holey knocked in the third Vikings' run with an RBI groundout as Salem State opened a 3-0 lead.

Salem State's Black (Winchendon, Mass.) worked out of a first inning jam as MCLA failed to score despite having runners on second and third despite having no outs.  

A passed ball and a perfectly placed bunt single by Sanchez added two more runs for Salem State in the second.

Adams continued to struggle in the third as two walks, a hit batter and two wild pitches added to Salem State's lead. A hit batter, single and walk, ended the day for Adams in the fourth as Katelyn Henault (West Warwick, R.I.) came in to relieve. Two straight singles by April Adams (Burlington, Mass.) and Jess Raymond (Peabody, Mass.), and a fielder's choice made the score 10-0. An error and two-run double by Manousos scored the seventh runs of the inning as the Vikings exited the fourth up 14-0. 

Adams allowed 10 runs (six earned) on seven hits with four walks and a strikeout.

Sanchez finished 3-for-4 while Manousos went 2-for-4 with four RBI. Dahlia DeCologero (Woburn, Mass.) collected a pair of doubles in four trips to the plate.

Chelsea Coleman (Brookfield, Conn.) had two hits for the Trailblazers.

Salem State will entertain Endicott on Tuesday in a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 PM.  MCLA hosts Lyndon State on Wednesday at 3:00 PM.