LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Salem softball team completed a two-game sweep of Randolph on Saturday afternoon and extended its winning streak to five games by scores of 3-1 (8 inn.) and 7-2 in Lynchburg, Va.

The biggest nuisance in the Salem lineup for the WildCats was Brianne Coleman, who finished 5-of-6 from the plate with three RBI, one double and a run scored. Hannah Escala and Brittany Morton were also prominent in the lineup for the Spirits, who improved to 5-5 overall, as they finished 3-of-7 from the plate, respectively.

Game 1: Salem 3, Randolph 1 (8 innings)

Salem ran its winning streak to four games with a 3-1 victory in eight innings over Randolph in the first game of the doubleheader.

The Spirits (4-5) were led by the top of the lineup, which was a combined 9-of-20 at the plate with multi-hit performances by Brittany Morton (2-4, run), Amanda Dacunto (2-4, RBI, run), Miranda Barker (2-4, RBI) and Brianne Coleman, who finished 3-for-4 with an RBI in the win.

While Salem tallied nine hits on the day, Randolph was limited to six by the combination of sound defense by the Spirits and Kayla Ogle (3-0) on the mound. Ogle scattered those six hits over eight innings, allowing one run and two walks while striking out six WildCat hitters.

Salem put the first run of the game across the plate in top of the third inning. Morton reached base on a one-out triple to left field and scored two batters later when Morton delivered a base knock to centerfield.

Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, Randolph's Railey Oetken singled up the middle. Two batters later, she moved into scoring position with a single up the middle by Diane Mahiai. Teammate Delaney Nuckols came through with a clutch two-out single through the left side, scoring Oetken for the tying run.

Salem answered in the top of the eighth when Dacunto dropped a single into centerfield to score Hannah Thompson from second for the 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Coleman added an insurance run with a single to centerfield that plated Dacunto from second, giving Salem the 3-1 advantage.

The Spirits defense came through with a game-ending double play in the home half of the ninth to complete the victory.

Game 1: Salem 3, Randolph 1

Salem ran its winning streak to four games with a 3-1 victory over Randolph in the first game of the doubleheader.

The Spirits were guided offensively by the combination of Escala (3-4, 2 RBI) and Coleman (2-2, 2 RBI, run). Salem finished the game with nine hits and reached base by virtue of a walk on seven occasions.

On the mound, the combination of Miranda Barker and Kayla Ogle limited the Randolph offense to two runs on nine hits. Barker logged five innings on the mound, allowing eight hits and two runs, while Ogle completed the final two innings and surrendered one hit.

Brittany Morton began the game by reaching on a hit by pitched and moved to second when Amanda Dacunto worked the count in her favor for a walk. Two batters later, Coleman brought her teammates home with a single to right centerfield when she advanced on a throw.

The Salem lead grew to 3-0 in the top of the third when Dacunto opened the frame with a walk. Coleman advanced the Dacunto to third with a single through the right side of the infield. With runners on the corners, Breanna Herman grounded to short, scoring Dacunto for the 3-0 advantage.

Randolph (4-8) got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth, but Salem answered with a three-run fifth to move its lead to 6-2. Coleman was the first runner to reach base in the inning, drawing a walk, moving to third on a double to left field by Madison Burch.

Savanah Atkins kept the Spirits alive with a walk and Escala roped a single into centerfield, scoring Burch and Coleman for the 5-2 advantage. Consecutive walks of Madison Thomas and Morton plated Atkins for the final run of the inning.

Salem scored its final run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. Barker singled through the left side of the infield and Coleman walked to quickly put two runners on base for the Spirits. Herman placed a single into centerfield for her first hit of the game, allowing Barker to trot home from second.

Salem returns to action on Sunday, March 8, when the Spirits host Ferrum at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Blixt Field in Winston-Salem, N.C. For more information check out www.salemspirits.com.