The Salem High girls softball team will open the River Ridge District tournament today. A site and opponent was yet to be determined at press time.

The Salem girls were in the middle of the pack at the beginning of the week, and they were still in the hunt for a home game depending on what happened elsewhere. The semifinals will be played at Pulaski County on Saturday and the championship is Monday in Pulaski.

Salem is 7-11 heading into the tournament after falling to Cave Spring in the regular season finale last week at Cave Spring. The Spartans dropped another close, falling 2-0.

“Another close loss,” said Salem coach John Counts. Reagan threw a great game.”

Salem pitcher Reagan Owens allowed just one earned run over six innings, scattering six hits. Cave Spring scored one run in the first inning and one in the fifth but Cave Spring hurler Abby Weaver pitched shutout ball, striking out 13. Salem had six hits, including two each by Kendra Bolen and Taylor McCaleb, who both had doubles.

“Despite the record the progress of this team from February to today has been tremendous,” said Counts. “Six of the losses have been by one run. We are in every game and battling.”