SALISBURY, MD – The University of Rochester softball team used a big seventh inning in the opening game of a doubleheader against Salisbury University, earning its first victory of the 2018 campaign.
 
UR's win, a 9-5 triumph, came in a split doubleheader with the Sea Gulls, as Salisbury took game two 15-1, in five innings.
 
Rochester is now 1-7 on the year while Salisbury is 8-4.
 
In the opener, the Sea Gulls tallied single runs in the first and fourth innings to go up 2-0.  Rochester plated four in the top of the fifth, taking the lead.  Marissa Russo reached on an error, allowing Jessica Conforti, Bailyn Piecewicz and Michaela Farmer to scamper home.  Anne Marie Cortes then lined a single to right center, allowing Russo to give UR the 4-2 lead.
 
Salisbury then got two runs in the sixth, pulling even on a solo home run from Emily Allen and a LeAnne Collins RBI double.
 
Rochester would then take the lead for good in the top of the seventh when five runners touched home plate, three of which came on a bases-clearing double from Gianna Melillo.  Also, Cortes had her second RBI of the game on a sac bunt and Harleigh Kaczegowicz drove in a run on a fielders choice.
 
The Sea Gulls got one run back in the seventh, but Hannah Leahy shut the door for the victory.  The first-year pitcher went the distance, scattering 11 hits and five runs with three walks while striking out six.
 
In game two Rochester was held to just two hits by Salisbury starter Rachael Milligan who tossed a complete game with three strikeouts.
 
Salisbury scored three runs in the first, four in the second and rolled to the victory from there.  UR's run came in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Marissa Russo singled to right, driving in Sammi Re.
 
UR is back in action tomorrow with a neutral site matchup against nationally ranked Lynchburg College at the Parker Athletic Complex in Salisbury.