By Sam Armstrong

SALEM, Va. – The Southern Virginia softball team dropped a pair of games to Roanoke College on Friday, falling 7-2 in the first game and 12-3 in game two.

The Knights (7-11) wasted no time getting on the board in the game one of the day, scoring two runs in the top of the first thanks to RBI base-hits by Mollie Gabbert and Mykayla Johnson. The Maroons (13-9) answered in the bottom of the second with two runs of their own and scored five more the rest of the game. Southern Virginia was unable to score any more runs after the first in the 7-2 loss.

Johnson finished the game with two of the Knights' five hits, while Gabbert, Tara Hilton and Madison Rigby each tallied one. Megan Harmon was in the circle, allowing only one earned run on nine hits while striking out two.

Game two only needed five innings to decide a winner, as Roanoke scored two in the first inning, eight in the third, and two in the fourth for its 12 runs. Southern Virginia fought back in the with one run in the fourth and two in the fifth, but it was not enough to overcome the Maroons' scoring barrage.

Gabbert and Jordan Stites each finished the game with a hit and an RBI for the Knights, while Caitlin Barber and Katierose Helems also had base-hits. Melanie Peyton pitched four innings, giving up seven earned runs.

Southern Virginia takes the field again on Tuesday as Ferrum comes to two for a doubleheader. Game one is slated for 5:00 p.m. at Harvey-Dryden Field.