Softball opens 2023 season with two tough losses at Salem

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. --- Carlow University softball opened the 2023 season on the road at Salem University Thursday.

The Celtics (0-2) lost the first game, 9-2, to the Tigers (5-1) and fell 7-2 in the nightcap.

Game 1: L, 9-2

The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after scoring a run in the second and two runs in the bottom of the third.

A single, a triple and a two-out, three-run home run in the fourth put Salem ahead, 7-0, over the Celtics.

Bekah Valenti singled to start off the fifth, and Maddie Bowes came through with her first home run of the season to bring in both of Carlow's runs in the inning.

The Celtics hit back-to-back singles in the top of the sixth, but Salem left the bases loaded to end the inning.

The Tigers tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom half of the frame and retired the Celtics in order in the top of the seventh for the win.

Morgan Pierce suffered the loss on the mound, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in three innings of work. Amanda Hu started the game and pitched two innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two.

Tatum Wiggs tossed her first inning as a collegiate athlete to close the game, allowing two runs on one hit.

Valenti and Morgan Pierce each went 2 for 2 in the game.

Meesha Arroyo pitched a complete game for the Tigers, allowing two runs, scattering nine hits and striking out six. The Salem defense stranded 10 Carlow runners on the base paths in the game.

Game 2: L, 7-2

The Tigers once again held Carlow to just two runs in the nightcap.

Salem put an unearned run on the board to start the game, but the Celtics quickly tied it up with an unearned run of their own in the top of the second.

Jillian Durst reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and made it all the way around on an error by the catcher.

Mackenzie Egley reached first on an error and made it to third to start off the top of the third inning.

Hannah Gallagher hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Carlow's second unearned run of the game, giving the Celtics a marginal 2-1 advantage.

The Tigers made it out of the inning unscathed, and put up five runs on six hits in the bottom half of the frame to lead, 6-2.

Carlow tallied two hits in both the fourth and fifth, but could not bring anyone home.

Salem scored an insurance run on a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth and held Carlow to just one hit in the seventh for the win.

Megan Pollinger was saddled with the loss, allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out two in four innings of work.

Clara Niglio got the start on the mound, allowing one run on three hits.

Valenti hit 2 for 2 and Morgan Nedley went 2 for 3 in the effort.

Andrea Gallegos pitched a complete game for the Tigers, allowing two unearned runs, scattering eight hits and recording six strikeouts.

Carlow's next venture is to Clermont, Fla. for The Spring Games March 5-10.