Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Winston-Salem, N.C. - Johnson & Wales Charlotte won the first game in school history on Wednesday afternoon defeating Salem 12-8 in the first game of a doubleheader. Salem won the second game 9-8.

Seven Hope opened the scoring with a two-run homerun in the first inning. JWU then added six more runs in the second, highlighted by a three run homer from Addison Laney. The Wildcats added single runs in the third and fifth innings, the last of which was via a solo homerun from Elizabeth Salazar. Salem scored five runs in the middle three innings, only to see JWU add single runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. The Spirits clawed three runs back in the bottom of the 7th, but could get no closer than the 12-8 final margin.

Each of the nine Wildcat starters had at least one hit, with five collecting two hits. Laney drove in four, while Laila Strawn stole two bases. Mai Tellez-Martinez went five innings in the pitcher's circle to get the win, allowing 6 runs, while striking out three and walking three.

In game 2, Salem took a 5-0 lead over the first three innings before the Wildcats answered with four runs in the fourth inning. Hanna Ciplickas had the key hit in the frame, driving in two. The Spirits scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to go up 9-5 only to see the Wildcats load the bases with no outs in the seventh. JWU pushed across three runs over the next five batters to cut their deficit to one before Salem got the final out of the game.

Strawn led the Wildcats with four hits, while Laney added three. Ciplickas drove in three, and Salazar homered for the second time on the afternoon. Katie Murphy went 5.1 innings, striking out five, walking four, and allowing 6 earned runs.

The Wildcats next travel to Montreat College on Friday, February 20th for a doubleheader that begins at 3:00pm.