SALISBURY, Md. -- The University of Lynchburg softball team split a road doubleheader with No. 25 Salisbury on Friday afternoon, winning the opener in extra innings before falling in the nightcap. Lynchburg claimed a 4–2 victory in eight innings in game one before Salisbury responded with a 10–2 win in game two.
Game 1: Lynchburg 4, Salisbury 2 (8 innings)
The Hornets opened the doubleheader with a strong pitching performance and timely hitting to outlast the nationally ranked Sea Gulls in extra innings.
Lynchburg struck first in the second inning. Georgia Thompson reached base and advanced into scoring position before Alex Love delivered a single to right field. Zoë Elliott later lifted a sacrifice fly to bring Thompson home and give the Hornets a 1–0 lead.
The Hornets doubled their advantage in the fourth. Thompson singled and moved into scoring position before Love ripped a triple to right center, plating Thompson and pushing the Lynchburg lead to 2–0.
Salisbury responded in the fifth inning, tying the game at 2–2 on a two-run single from Karlie Wolfe.
Neither team broke through again in regulation, sending the contest to extra innings.
In the eighth, Lynchburg capitalized on a defensive miscue to regain the lead. After Sydney Bryant moved to third on a steal, she came home on an error to give the Hornets a 3–2 advantage. Later in the inning, Helen Maddux delivered a clutch double to left center that scored Georgia Thompson and extended the lead to 4–2.
The Hornets then shut the door in the bottom half of the frame. Salisbury loaded the bases, but Lynchburg's defense held firm, recording the final out to secure the upset victory.
Chase Hartford earned the win in the circle after tossing five innings and allowing two runs. Kate Charlton closed the game with three scoreless innings to seal the result.
Thompson led the Hornets offensively with two hits and three runs scored, while Love added two hits, including a triple, and an RBI.
Game 2: Salisbury 10, Lynchburg 2
Lynchburg carried momentum into the second game, jumping out to an early lead.
The Hornets scored in the second inning when Hailey Schildt crossed the plate on a passed ball. They added another run in the third as Helen Maddux singled and later scored on a double by Georgia Thompson to give Lynchburg a 2–0 advantage.
Salisbury responded with a decisive third inning, plating eight runs on seven hits to take control of the game. The rally was highlighted by a three-run home run from Karlie Wolfe.
The Sea Gulls added two more runs in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 10–2.
Lynchburg was unable to mount a comeback over the final innings as Salisbury secured the split.
Georgia Thompson and Abby Lockhart each recorded doubles for the Hornets in the contest, while Maddux also collected a hit and scored a run.
With the split, Lynchburg moved to 6–6 on the season.
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