SALEM, Va. - Bowie State University softball recorded a 1-2 record at the Salem (Va.) Tournament, sandwiching a 4-3 victory over Mansfield University between losses to Edinboro (5-4) and Gannon University (4-1). The Bulldogs were paced by junior Stefanie Ray (Damascus, Md.) with five hits on nine plate appearances while sophomore Megan Visele (Park Hill, Md.) recorded four hits over the three games played.
 
In Bowie State's only game on Friday (3/10), Edinboro struck first in the bottom of the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead. Following a Theresa Fleckenstein double to deep left center, Olivia Jankowski delivered a double of her own to account for the games' first run to cross the plate.
 
Bowie State responded two innings later, scoring three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-1 lead. Ray and junior Ja'Seph Smith (Bowie, Md.) began the third with back-to-back singles followed by a bunt single by junior Jacqueline Pickering (Bowie, Md.) to load the bases. Junior Nicoleen Ochoa (Madison, Ohio) walked which allowed Ray to score to tie the game at 1-all. Visele stroked a single through the left side of the defense, scoring Pickering and Smith, giving the Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage.
 
Not to be outdone, the Fighting Scots put together a three-run inning of their own in the bottom half of the third to retake the lead at 4-3. Danna Heh got things started with a single before stealing second and third. Danna Heh was able to come across on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 3-2. Brooke Callaghan doubled to right and took third on the throw to set up Olivia Jankowski's second RBI of the contest, a single back up the middle. Jankowski stole second and Heather Tighe drove her in with a single to give Edinboro the 4-3 lead.
 
The Bulldogs brought in an unearned run in the top of the fifth to knot the game up at 4-4, but again the Fighting Scots answered right back with Tighe's second RBI of the game, again scoring Jankowski in what proved to be the winning run.
 
Kalet Lenart (1-0) earned the win in relief duty, pitching 4.1 innings to open the Edinboro season, striking out four and allowed only one hit.
 
Ray (3-3) took the loss for Bowie State as they fell to 2-7 on the season, striking out four but gave up nine hits.
 
Bowie State struck first against Mansfield in the Bulldogs first game on Saturday, with a run in the top of the first via Pickering double that scored Smith. Mansfield (4-3) stormed back in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Koryn Wickwire and Melanie Taylor singled before moving to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. Leah McGovern tied the score with a sac fly then Hannah Breitigan drove in a pair of runs with a double through the left side.
 
In the top of the fourth, Bowie State's Visele tied the game with a two run home run before junior Lindsey Fenner (Aberdeen, Md.) deliver what proved to be the game-winning RBI.
 
Ray went the distance to pick up the win for the Bulldogs. Sierra Storm took the loss for Mansfield.
 
After four scoreless innings in game two of the day versus Gannon, Gannon finally broke through in the fifth, plating three. The three runs were capped by a Jackie Martinez  single that drove home Allie Salerno and Sarah Ingerick.
 
The Bulldogs drew one run closer with an Ochoa double that plated sophomore Jaelyn Belt (Glen Burnie, Md).
 
Gannon (10-5) got the run back in the bottom of the sixth after Rachel Tanilli doubled to bring home Maria Taliani to account for the final margin of 4-1.
 
Ochoa, Visele and Ray notched two hits each to lead Bowie State in the setback. Ochoa's pitching record dropped to 0-4 on the season, allowing six Golden Knights hits.
 
Bowie State (3-8) will be idle until returning to action at the CIAA Round-Up in Charlotte (N.C.). March 17-19. The Bulldogs will face Fayetteville State at 1 p.m. at Nevin's Community Park.