RALEIGH, N.C. – A three-run fourth inning by Salem provided the difference in the nightcap of two losses by McDaniel in season-opening softball action on Sunday.

The Green Terror (0-2) dropped a 1-0 decision to Meredith in the first game of the day before dropping a 5-4 decision to Salem.

Rachel Sidney (East Meadow, N.Y./East Meadow) went 3-for-7 with a run scored on the day to pace McDaniel.

Amanda Beirne threw a three-hit shutout for the Avenging Angels (2-2), striking out five.

In the nightcap, Allie Watkins led the Spirits (2-5) with seven strikeouts in the circle.

In game one, Leah Friedman reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth before moving to second on an Alex Warren sacrifice and scoring on an Amanda White double to left field.

Stacey Armacost (Glenville, Pa./South Western) led off the top of the seventh with a walk before Sidney singled with one out. A fielders choice put runners at the corners with two outs but Beirne induced a foul fly to get her first win of the season in the circle.

McDaniel had other opportunities but left the bases loaded in the second and two runners on in the sixth.

Trailing 4-2, Salem's Emily DeVane drew a one-out walk before Karson Chapman followed with a walk of her own.

With two outs, Watkins helped her own cause, singling to right center.

After a stolen base, Kristi Morton singled to center to score Amber Bass and Watkins.

The Spirits jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Chapman drew a lead off walk before a Bass double put runners at second and third.

Watkins followed with a single to center to plate Chapman before an error allowed Bass to score for a 2-0 lead.

Laura Mertz (Gillette, N.J./Watchung Hills) reached on an error to lead off the visitor third before Sidney doubled to put runners at second and third.

Lindsey Blohm (Bel Air, Md./Toms River North [N.J.]) followed with a two-run single to knot the game before stealing second.

With one out, Jackie Liebowitz (Bellerose, N.Y./Benjamin N. Cardozo) walked and Stephanie Maring (Woodbine, Md./South Carroll) singled in Blohm for a 3-2 advantage.

Mertz once again reached on an error in the fourth before scoring on a Blohm double to left center for the 4-2 lead.

Caroline Brehm (Hanover, Pa./New Oxford) struck out 10 batters in 8 1/3 innings of work, including eight in the game-one loss.

In addition to Blohm's two hits, Maring added two in the nightcap.

The Green Terror returns to action at Mary Baldwin on Saturday. The first game of the doubleheader begins at 1:30 p.m.

-30-