Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Splitting a pair of matches at Salem, the Oberlin College softball team advanced to 5-1, marking the fewest games to five wins in program history. Dropping the first game 5-3, the Crimson and Gold rallied in game two to clinch a 9-6 victory.

"It was a tough battle in game one, but I'm super impressed with the fight and energy. Game two represents who we are with a great team win," Head Coach Julie Pratt adds. "We're looking to continue our work with base running, but I'm super proud of this team and our amazing weekend!"

Hailey Alspach opened on the mound for Oberlin, appearing for 3.1 innings, earning five runs and a pair of strikeouts. Olivia Bey came in for the relief, notching two strikeouts in 2.2 innings. 

Leading the offensive action for the Yeowomen, Connor Fogarty and Maya Means combined for three hits and a trio of RBIs. 

Salem capitalized on their home-field advantage to start the first game, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Trailing 5-0 at the top of the sixth, Haley Carlson drilled a double to left center, advancing Anjali Singh to third. Means stepped up to the box, popping the ball to the right side. Falling out of the fielder's glove, Means reached first on the error, scoring two RBIs as Singh and Carlson advanced home to cut Oberlin's deficit to three.

Keeping Salem from scoring in the bottom of the sixth, Bey opened the inning by catching a pop-up ball and closed the session by striking out the Spirits' batter. In the top of the seventh, Aoife Shen nailed a single to the left side to get on base. Stealing second and third, Shen moved into scoring position. Fogarty stepped up to the plate, slamming a hit deep into left center, recording an RBI as Shen crossed home plate. Unable to secure another hit, Oberlin fell 5-3. 

Taking some time to reset and prepare ahead of the next game, Sophie Stone stepped up to the mound for the start. In just 0.1 innings, the sophomore earned three runs. Tapping in towards the end of the bottom of the first, Alspach returned to the circle, registering seven strikeouts and earning three runs. 

At the top of the batting lineup, Shen popped a ball far up to left field to secure the early double. After Carlson walked and stole second, Hannah O'Connor struck the ball to right field for the single, producing two RBI's as Shen and Carlson lifted Oberlin to a 2-0 start. 

In Salem's first inning at bat, the home team pulled ahead of the Crimson and Gold after a double that added a pair of runs and a single, pushing the score to 3-2. Following some quick innings, the Spirits extended their lead to 4-2 after Reese Upton nailed a home run. 

In the top of the fourth, a Caroline Sniffen double through the middle, Natasha O'Brien advanced to third, and then finished home after an error from second base. With Alspach on second, Singh sent a double to shortstop, allowing Alspach to score, tying Salem 4-4. 

The Spirits scored twice in the next inning. Maintaining a slight 6-5 gap at the top of the sixth, Oberlin regained the lead after singles from Carlson and Fogarty each scored a run. Starting the top of the seventh, Means launched a rocket beyond the fence to secure her second home run of the season. The Crimson and Gold's final run followed a single from Alspach that allowed Shen to score. Keeping Salem off the base for the final inning, Oberlin secured the 9-6 victory. 

Ending their North Carolina trip but staying in the south, Oberlin returns to the diamond on Saturday, March 14, at Centre. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. with a second game to follow at 1 p.m.

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