SALISBURY, Md. - Stevenson softall senior Julianne Roper (Baltimore/Western Tech) allowed just one earned run on eight hits over six innings, but the Mustangs fell victim to a career-high 17 strikeouts from Erika Brittingham as No. 9 Salisbury began its quest for a 15th-straight CAC championship with a 2-0 victory Wednesday at SU Softball Field in the first round.

Stevenson (14-15-1) was held to just two hits in the game, both coming on singles by senior Jessica Bandzwolek (Fallston/Fallston) and sophomore Sara DiMeglio (Spotswood, N.J./Spotswood). Both finished 1-for-3.

Brittingham struck out a career-high 17 for the second time this season while allowing just three baserunners as she posted her seventh complete-game shutout and second versus Stevenson.

The Sea Gulls (28-4) scored the only run they would need in the bottom of the second on a two-out RBI single by Kristin Lord before adding an insurance run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Carley Read.

Lindsay Brown went 2-for-2 for Salisbury while Sara Alpaugh was 2-for-3.

In three games against Salisbury this season, the Mustangs have allowed just 10 runs through 20.0 innings.

Stevenson travels to Hood on Thursday in the second round of the CAC Softball Championship looking to avenge a doubleheader sweep on the same field back on March 26.