WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Shenandoah University softball team opened its season by splitting two games at Salem College.

The Hornets (1-1) opened with a 13-4 victory over Southern Virginia before falling in eight innings to host Salem, 13-12.

In the opener versus SVU (0-3), freshman Elizabeth Everette tossed a complete game four-hitter as SU downed the Knights in five innings.

Everette allowed the four runs on five hits and one walk, but benefitted from a 12-hit attack that scored five runs in the first, one in the second, three in the third and fourth in the fifth to end the game early due to the NCAA mercy rule.

The top five hitters in the Hornets lineup were a combined 9 for 17 with Ashlyn Drake going 3 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored and Haley Koeninger going 2 for 3 with three RBI.

Lindsay Corbin also drove in three and had two hits.

In game two, SU forced extra innings with a four-run seventh only to see Salem (4-2) score once in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.

Koeninger, Karli Rorabaugh, Megan Wilk and Makaela Dawkins all had three hits with Drake and Breanne Smith each chipping in two.

Koeninger was 3 for 5 with four RBI and three runs scored as she hit home runs in the sixth and seventh. The latter was a three-run dinger.

Shenandoah completes weekend play on Sunday with a 10 a.m. game versus Frostburg State and a noon game versus Salem.

###