ELKINS, W.Va. – Davis & Elkins used dominant pitching and timely power at the plate to sweep Salem in a Saturday doubleheader at Joni Smith Softball Field, taking Game 1 by a 3-0 margin before holding off a late charge for a 5-4 win in Game 2.
In the opener, sophomore right-hander Sammie Jarvis was masterful, firing a complete-game two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and just one walk. Jarvis retired the first 10 batters she faced and allowed only two baserunners in the game, needing just 92 pitches for her fourth complete game of the season.
The Senators (13-20) provided all the offense they needed in the bottom of the first, plating three runs. Lina Gutierrez led off with a single and came around to score on an RBI single by Ashlyn Zapach. Sacrifice plays from Jules Gutierrez and Meg Henkle extended the early advantage. D&E finished with six hits, including a double from Lilly Saucedo.
In Game 2, D&E's offense turned up the power. Linzey Allard - recently named to the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist - launched two solo home runs, one in the first inning and another in the third to spark the Senators. Jules Gutierrez and Henkle also went deep, giving D&E three home runs among seven total hits. Henkle added a two-out RBI double, while Gutierrez's homer came as part of a leadoff rally.
The Senators built a 3-1 lead through three innings and added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh. Salem (13-12) made things interesting with a three-run rally in the top of the seventh, capped by a pinch-hit homer, but reliever Sammie Jarvis shut the door to secure the sweep.
Saylor Kneeland started for D&E in Game 2, tossing six strong innings. She allowed three earned runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out six over 103 pitches. Jarvis (W, 5-7) entered in the seventh and earned the win in relief, giving up one run on two hits and recording three flyouts on just 10 pitches.
The sweep marked a complete performance for the Senators, who allowed just four runs over 14 innings while showing both power and small-ball execution offensively.
