Softball Powers Past Mitchell for Doubleheader Sweep

THE BASICS 

Score: 
GM 1 – Salem State University 9 vs Mitchell College 4 (GM 1) 
GM 2 – Salem State University 9 vs Mitchell College  6 (GM 2)

Records: 

Salem State Vikings (24-10) GM 1 

Mitchell College Mariners (15-19) GM 1

Salem State Vikings (25-10) GM 2

Mitchell College Mariners (15-20) GM 2

Location: New London, CT 

Date: Wednesday April 22^nd, 2026 

THE LEAD 

The Salem State Vikings swept a non-conference doubleheader against the Mitchell College Mariners, earning 9–4 and 9–6 victories. The Vikings set the tone in game one with consistent offense and strong defensive play to secure a solid win. In game two, Salem State jumped out to an early lead behind a three-run homer from Ellie Kleinheinz and held off a late push from the Mariners, using timely hitting and clutch defense to complete the sweep.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

Salem, MA — The Salem State Vikings opened their non-conference doubleheader against Mitchell College with a strong all-around performance, winning game one 9-4. The Vikings wasted no time getting their offense going, plating the game's first run in the top of the first inning. They followed up in the second, adding another run to take an early 2–0 lead. Salem State's defense backed up the early offense, keeping the Mariners off the scoreboard through the first two innings.

Both teams managed to put runners on base in the third and fourth innings, but neither side could capitalize, as pitching and defensive play kept the score unchanged.

Salem State broke things open in the fifth inning, stringing together key hits to produce four runs and extend their lead to 7–0. Mitchell College responded in the bottom half of the inning with a rally of their own, scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 7–3.

The Vikings answered right back in the sixth, adding two insurance runs to push the lead to 9–3. The Mariners managed to pick up one more run in the bottom of the inning, but it wasn't enough to spark a full comeback, making it 9–4.

Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh inning, as Salem State closed out the game with steady pitching and clean defense to secure the win over the Mariners. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

•  Madison DeWitt , Abigail LaClair , Ellie Kleinheinz would all have doubles in game one against the Mariners. 
• Paige Souza would hit a triple to help the Vikings secure the win in game one over the Mariners. 
• Hailey Ano would collect 3 RBIs in game one to help secure the win in game one over the Mariners 
• Tara Perryman would get 2 RBIs in game one against the Mariners
• Alaina Giuliano , Alanis Toledano, Ellie Kleinheinz , Samantha Gaona- Sullivan would all have an RBI in game one against the Mariners.
• Allison Frost , Samantha Gaona- Sullivan , Hailey Ano would all have a stolen base in game one. 
• Alanis Toledano would earn the win in game one striking out 7 in 6 innings pitched and only allowing 3 runs. 
• Charlie Benesh would earn the save in game one striking out 1 and not allowing any runs in one inning pitched. 
• The Vikings would have 14 hits in game one against the Mariners. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

Salem, MA — The Salem State Vikings completed the doubleheader sweep of the Mitchell College Mariners with an exciting 9–6 win in game two, powered by early offense and strong defense late.

The Vikings came out swinging in the top of the first inning, as Ellie Kleinheinz launched a three-run home run to give Salem State a quick 3–0 lead. Mitchell answered in the bottom half with a run of their own, trimming the lead to 3–1 heading into the second.

Both teams were kept off the scoreboard in the second inning, but the Vikings reignited their bats in the third. Salem State put together another strong offensive frame, scoring three runs to extend the lead to 6–1. The Mariners responded in a big way in the bottom of the inning, erupting for five runs to even the score at 6–6.

Pitching and defense took over in the middle innings, as both sides were held scoreless in the fourth and fifth, sending the game into the sixth still tied.

In the top of the sixth, the Vikings once again delivered at the plate, scoring three runs to reclaim the lead at 9–6. Salem State's defense held firm in the bottom half, shutting down any momentum from Mitchell.

The Vikings were unable to add insurance in the seventh, giving the Mariners one final opportunity. However, Salem State's defense came out strong, keeping Mitchell off the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning to seal the victory.

With the 9–6 win, the Vikings completed the sweep of the non-conference doubleheader, with powerful hitting and strong defensive play throughout both games.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• Ellie Kleinheinz delivered a standout performance in game two against the Mariners as she would, launch her second homerun of the season, while also hitting 2 doubles, and securing 5 RBIs in game two. Kleinheinz would go 4 for 3 at the plate in game two against the Mariners. 
• Emma Quinn , Madison DeWitt would both have an RBI in game two against the Mariners. 
•  Samantha Gaona- Sullivan and Allison Frost would both have stolen bases in game two. 
• The Vikings would have 10 hits in game two against the Mariners.

UP NEXT

The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday April 25^th, 2026, where they continue to stay on the road and travel to Framingham, MA to take on the Rams of Framingham State for a MASCAC conference doubleheader. Opening pitch is set for 1:00pm.