SALISBURY, Md. --- No. 4 ranked Salisbury University scored twice in the top of the sixth inning Saturday and then held off Virginia Wesleyan College's 10th-ranked Marlins to post a 3-2 victory in an NCAA Division III softball regional championship game at Salisbury.
The SeaGulls (33-6) combined a VWC error and two hits, including a two-run double from Annah Brittingham, to end a 1-all tie and take the lead for good. Virginia Wesleyan (30-8) came back briefly in the bottom of the same inning, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly from rookie Cassety Howerin (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney). JuniorKayla Malkos (Roanoke/Cave Spring) led off the inning with a triple.
Virginia Wesleyan trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the final inning, but fell in order at the plate as Salisbury wrapped up the win.
The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore BlakeHenderson (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) belted a double to left field to score juniorCourtney Bogan (Round Hill/Woodgrove), who led off the inning with a single.
Salisbury managed only one hit through the first four innings, but tied the game in the top of the fifth behind a pair of singles.
Senior Mary Shipp (Virginia Beach/First Colonial) started in the pitching circle for the Marlins and face 24 batters. She struck out one and allowed five hits, before senior Kristina Karagiorgis (Ashburn/Briarwoods) entered to pitch the final inning. Rachel Johnson recorded the win for Salisbury.
--- This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College sports information department. ---
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