RALEIGH, N.C. | Meredith College softball picked up two wins on Sunday against Salem College to complete the weekend sweep! The Avenging Angels offense shined in the 9-1 win and a gritty 6-0 victory in game two capped off a spectacular weekend.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KIM SCAVONE:
"We had a total team effort today to finish a fantastic week. Six conference wins in a row as a result of solid pitching, great defense, and dynamic offense. Our slappers did a great job getting on base and clutch hits throughout the lineup made the difference."

GAME ONE:
The game began with an explosive first inning for Meredith, as they jumped to an early 4-0 lead. Ashbee Standridge opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Mia Staggs. Emilee Lewis followed up with a single up the middle, bringing in Lewis for a 2-0 advantage. Then, Mariah Bell hit a two-RBI single to second base, scoring in Sarah Manis and Avery Puryear to cap off the four-run inning.

Standridge was not done yet, as she delivered a huge blow in the fourth inning. The senior hit a grand slam to left center, bringing in Lewis, Staggs, and Spangenburg, extending Meredith's lead to 8-0. Standridge's grand slam was the highlight of the game. Standridge's offense has been outstanding on a national level. She has the second most doubles in the nation and is fifth in RBIs.

Salem managed to break the shutout in the fifth inning. With two outs, Jessica Avila singled to left field, and an error allowed her to advance to second base. The miscue allowed Maleah Tate to score, cutting the lead to 8-1. However, that would be all the offense Salem could muster, as Lillie Davis and the Angels' defense held strong for the remainder of the game.

In the sixth inning, Meredith tacked on an additional run. Standridge, who had already provided much of the offense, singled up the middle, driving in Staggs to make it 9-1.

Davis Dominates in the Circle:
Lillie Davis was exceptional in the win for Meredith. She threw a complete game, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out seven and walking only one batter. Davis mixed her pitches well all day and hit her spots, to ultimately secure her 11^th win of the season. Lillie has the seventh most strikeouts in the nation at 94.

Salem's offense was limited throughout the contest. While Jessica Avila had a solid game, going 2-for-3 with the team's only RBI, the rest of the lineup struggled to produce. Starting pitcher Riley Dennis (4-10) took the loss after giving up eight runs on 10 hits in four innings of work. Carmen Duffey pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing one run on just one hit while striking out one.

Key Performances:

• Meredith:
  • Ashbee Standridge – 3-for-3, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 1 SB
  • Emilee Lewis – 2-for-2, 2 Runs
  • Lillie Davis – 7 IP, 1 R, 7 K,
• Salem:
  • Jessica Avila – 2-for-3, 1 RBI
  • Maleah Tate – 1-for-1, 1 Run

 
GAME TWO:
Meredith came out strong in the second inning, scoring all three of their runs in the frame. Kaydon Roberson got things started with an RBI single to left field, bringing in Sarah Manis for the game's first run. Tess Spangenburg followed up with a groundout to shortstop that scored Roberson and advanced Logan Fennell to third. Fennell would later score on an error by the Salem left fielder, giving Meredith a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Emilee Lewis extended the lead to 4-0 with an RBI single to right field that brought in Salem Zeka. The Angels' offense was clicking, and they continued to add pressure on Salem's defense.

Meredith tacked on two more insurance runs in the sixth inning. Ashbee Standridge hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Lewis, and Sarah Manis followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Mariah Bell. These two runs pushed Meredith's lead to 6-0, where it would stay for the remainder of the game.

Kaylee Manning (6-6) delivered a dominant pitching performance for Meredith, tossing all seven innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four. Manning kept Salem off balance throughout the game, retiring the side in order in both the first and third innings. She walked two batters but never allowed Salem to threaten, sealing the shutout victory for the Angels.

Starting pitcher Carmen Duffey (1-2) took the loss for Salem, allowing six runs (five earned) on 11 hits over six innings. Duffey struck out two and walked just one but was unable to contain Meredith's offense.

Key Performances:

• Meredith:
  • Sarah Manis – 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run
  • Kaydon Roberson – 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run
  • Kaylee Manning – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
• Salem:
  • NeVaeha George – 1-for-3
  • Madison Long – 1-for-2

UP NEXT:
Meredith has a week to prepare for their next home doubleheader against Mary Baldwin on Saturday, April 12^th at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.