SALISBURY, N.C. — The Davis & Elkins College softball team dropped a doubleheader to Catawba College on Saturday at Whitley Field, falling 8-4 in game one and 15-5 in game two.

Game One: Catawba 8, Davis & Elkins 4

Davis & Elkins fell behind early and was unable to overcome an eight-run third inning in an 8-4 loss in the opener.

Catawba scored two runs in the first inning and added two more in the second before breaking the game open with four runs in the third to take an 8-0 lead.

The Senators responded in the fourth inning. Ashlyn Zapach doubled to left-center field to drive in a run, and Maybe Ledesma followed with an RBI single. Zapach later scored on a stolen base of home to cut the deficit to 8-3.

D&E added another run in the fifth inning when Meg Henkle doubled to right-center to bring home Lorena Ruiz-Rubio, making it 8-4.

Audrey Higgins led the Senators offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Henkle and Zapach each recorded two hits and an RBI, while Ledesma drove in a run and reached base three times.

In the circle, Kendal Tellings took the loss, allowing six runs in two innings. Sammie Jarvis pitched four innings in relief and struck out seven.

Game Two: Catawba 15, Davis & Elkins 5

The Senators showed early offensive life in the nightcap but were unable to keep pace with Catawba's offense in a 15-5 loss.

After Catawba scored twice in the first inning, D&E answered in the third. Audrey Higgins hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to right-center field, driving in Gweny Wessling. Maybe Ledesma also hit her first career home run in the fourth inning, giving the Senators another run and marking a historic moment for both players.

Catawba responded with five runs in the bottom of the third to regain control. Higgins added her second two-run homer of the game in the fifth to bring the Senators within 8-5. Catawba pulled away with three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to seal the win.

Higgins finished 2-for-2 with two home runs and four RBIs. Ledesma went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI, while Wessling added two hits and scored twice.

Alyssia Munoz took the loss after allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, and Saylor Kneeland worked 2 2/3 innings in relief.

Up Next

Davis & Elkins will return to action at the Triangle Classic on Feb. 27, facing Felician University at noon in Raleigh, North Carolina.