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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Salem International University Monday afternoon from the SRU Softball Complex.
 
The visiting Tigers shut-down The Rock's offense in Game 1 to pick up a 3-1 victory, before hosting Slippery Rock bounced back with a 3-2 victory in Game 2 to salvage a split.
 
In the opener, the teams combined for just two hits through five innings as both starting pitchers cruised through the lineup. SIU right fielder Angela McGoldrick broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to straightaway centerfield. The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs before pitcher Lise Couturier helped her own cause with a two-RBI single past a diving third baseman to give the visitors a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning.
 
Trailing 3-0 and down to the last out, Slippery Rock freshman catcher McKenzie Popatak singled down the left field line and came around to score on a RBI double to right-center from junior right fielder Alaynna Beers. Couturier ended The Rock's hopes at a comeback to pick up the 3-1 complete game victory.
 
Freshman pitcher Carly DeRose had a strong performance but was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six in seven innings. Beers went 1-for-3 with a double and RBI, while freshman outfielder Eliza Sykes went 1-for-3 with a stolen base to lead the Slippery Rock offense.
 
Couturier picked up the win after allowing a run on four hits while striking out four in seven innings. She also went 1-for-2 from the plate with the game-clinching pair of RBIs.
 
In the nightcap, sophomore shortstop Katie Kaiser hammered a solo home run over the centerfield fence to give The Rock a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Slippery Rock added another run in the bottom of the second to take a 2-0 lead on a RBI single up the middle from Sykes.
 
Salem International fought back in the top of the third with four straight two-out singles to knot the game at 2-2. The Rock capitalized on a SIU error in the bottom of the fourth to take a 3-2 lead over the Tigers.
 
SIU threatened in the top of the sixth with a two-out single and double down the right field line, but senior pitcher Emily Lobdell struck out the next batter to slam the door on the visitor's comeback and preserve the 3-2 victory for The Rock.
 
Freshman pitcher Sarah Petrash picked up her first career win after allowing two runs on five hits and three strikeouts in four innings. Lobdell earned her first save after allowing three hits in a scoreless three innings of relief.
 
Senior first baseman Breanna Tongel went a perferct 3-for-3 and Kaiser went 1-for-3 with a home run to lead The Rock's offensive effort in Game 2. Sykes went 1-for-3 with a RBI and sophomore Ashley Samluk went 1-for-3 with a double to cap the attack for SRU.
 
With the split, Slippery Rock moves to 14-21 on the season and Salem International improves to 13-23.
 
The Rock returns to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action Tuesday against first-place and 22^nd ranked California (Pa.). First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from the SRU Softball Complex.