WINSTON-SALEM, NC (March 11, 2020)- Devils softball dropped a doubleheader this evening in North Carolina to Salem College, by the scores of 2-0 and 6-0. With the losses, FDU falls to 0-10 overall, while the Spirits improve to 9-5.

GAME 1, FDU 0, Salem 2
The Devils came out swinging the bats, with seniors Tara Morash and Gabby Young leading the game off with back-to-back singles. With no outs and two on, FDU was unable to capitalize. Sophomore starting pitcher Kaleigh Oplinger sent the Spirits down one, two, three in the bottom of the first, keeping the game scoreless. In the bottom of the second, Salem loaded the bases with one out, but Oplinger and the FDU defense held serve. The Devils were held hitless in the second, third and fourth inning, with junior Hunter Ruppel ending the drought in the fifth, driving a single to right field. Again, Spirits starter Kayla Ogle ended the FDU opportunity.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Salem broke through, scoring two runs on one hit and two errors. After sophomore Morgan DeLoreto and junior Francesca Shipe singled with two outs in the sixth, DeLoreto was picked off to end the inning. In the seventh, FDU pressured again. Sophomore Dana Giardina and junior Dani Sames led the inning off with back-to-back singles, getting a rally started. Three straight outs were recorded by the Spirits, ending the final threat from the Devils.

GAME 2, FDU 0, Salem 6
With one out in the top of the first inning, Young roped a single to center field and stole second base. However, Salem starter Abby Shelton ended the threat. The Spirits scored a run in the bottom of the first on two hits, taking a 1-0 advantage. Both teams were rendered scoreless in the second, before Salem broke through with another two runs in the third, building their lead to 3-0. After a Giardina single to left field to lead off the fourth, the Devils went down one, two, three without scoring. Again, in the top of the fifth, FDU put on the offensive pressure. Ruppel walked, morash singled and the Devils had first and third with two outs. Young would drop a bunt single to load the bases, before Giardina grounded into a fielder's choice to end the opportunity. In the bottom half of the inning, the Spirits scored three runs on four hits and one error to take a 6-0 lead.

Shipe singled with one out in the sixth and sophomore Colleen Conway walked with two outs, putting two runners on base, before Ruppel grounded out to end the inning. Morash was able to knock a single in the seventh inning, but Salem held the Devils scoreless, securing the 6-0 victory.

LEAD DEVILS
GM 1: DeLoreto had a great day for FDU, going 2-for-3 at the plate and recorded the only two hit game.
GM2: Morash and Young swung the bats well for the Devils in game two, both going 2-for-4 at the plate.

COACHES THOUGHTS
"You can't win games when your defense is weak. Our pitchers are forced to pitch perfectly and that's difficult enough when you score runs." – Head Coach Dante Fedeli

Next Up
Softball finishes their North Carolina road trip, travelling back to Pfeiffer University for a doubleheader tomorrow, March 11, starting at 3 p.m.