The Salem High softball season came to a sudden end last week as the Spartans dropped a Region 4D opening round game in Blacksburg. The Bruins won on a walk-off  homer in the bottom of the seventh, 5-4.

Salem had a 3-0 lead after five and a half innings. Heather Saunders knocked in Kendra Bolen with a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0. Lauren Moran then homored in the sixth and Taylor Bolen knocked Haley Smith home to make it 3-0 after five and a half.

Blacksburg rallied to score four in the  bottom of the sixth with MyKayla Dowdy plating one and another scoring on an error. Alaina Lafon plated Dowdy and a sac fly form Jess Wysoki finished the scoring to give Blacksburg a 4-3 lead after six innings.

Salem opened the seventh inning with a single by Morgan Tennant and a double by Liz Warren. Tennant was thrown out at home, but Warren then scored on a throwing error from the catcher to tie it up.

Katie Currin led off the bottom of the seventh with a homer, and that was the season for Salem. The Spartans finished 8-12.

Reagan Owens pitched for Salem and allowed four earned runs while striking out nine and walking just one batter. Warren had two hits in her last game for Salem.

“I was very pleased with the team play, especially the last half of the season as the team played hard from the first inning to the end,” said coach Johnny Counts. “They fought every inning and never gave up.

“The senior class leadership and desire will be greatly missed. As we go into the off season we are excited about next season with who we have returning and those coming up from the jayvee team.”