Winston-Salem, N.C. – The Southern Virginia University softball team powered its way to a conference sweep of Salem College on Saturday, earning 9-1 and 17-6 victories behind a historic offensive performance that included a program-record five home runs in game two.

Game One

The opener began as a pitcher's duel, with both teams held scoreless through three innings. The Knights broke through in the fourth when Sophia Badell singled to spark the offense, and Emmaline DeGroot followed with a two-run home run to give Southern Virginia the lead.

The Knights continued to build momentum as Taelor Ware and Abby Southern each delivered doubles to extend the lead to 4-0. Walks from Eliza Patterson and Kaydence VanDivner kept the inning alive before Morgan Rich drove in two more runs with a double. Rich later scored to cap a seven-run inning and give Southern Virginia full control.

The Knights added two more runs late, as Kyleigh Staton singled and came around to score on an error, and Grace Norman added a sacrifice fly to make the final 9-1.

DeGroot led the way on both sides, going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs while also earning the win in the circle, allowing just one run over five innings.

Game Two

Southern Virginia's offense reached another level in game two, setting a program record with five home runs in a single game.

Berkeley Whitten got things started with a solo homer in the first inning, and DeGroot added a two-run shot in the second. Salem responded with a six-run opening frame to take a 6-3 lead, but the Knights answered immediately.

Whitten and Badell launched back-to-back solo home runs to cut the deficit to one, and DeGroot doubled and later scored on a single from Malia Stauffer to tie the game.

Southern Virginia broke the game open in the third inning with a seven-run outburst on nine hits. Abby Southern and Patterson set the table before Rich delivered a two-RBI single. Whitten and Badell continued the surge with additional hits as the Knights took control.

Badell added another solo home run in the fifth, and Southern Virginia put the game away in the sixth with six runs on six hits. Ware, Addalyn Burch, Southern, and Patterson strung together consecutive singles, and a Staton double highlighted the final push to a 17-6 victory.

DeGroot capped a perfect day at the plate, going 7-for-7 across the doubleheader with seven hits and four RBIs. Whitten and Badell each recorded three hits and three RBIs in game two, while Southern also added three hits.

Burch and Annabell Cossa combined to close out the game in the circle, allowing just one hit over the final four innings.

Southern Virginia will look to continue its strong play on the road with a doubleheader at Meredith on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

For the latest updates on Southern Virginia University softball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_softball on Instagram.