Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TROUTVILLE, Va. – Shepherd University (34-15) split a pair of games at the MEC Softball Tournament on Friday. The Rams dropped an 8-1 decision to UVa-Wise (26-28) in an early game and rebounded with a 3-1 triumph over Fairmont State (20-28) in a later contest.

UVa-Wise took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Alexa Hernandez led off with a double and later scored when Samantha Ely walked with the bases loaded.

The Cavaliers added a pair of runs in the second as Hernandez and Mindy Combs each drove in a run.

The Rams scored a run in the fourth as junior outfielder Paige Buckworth (Elkton, Md./North East) reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore pitcher/designated player Kaitlin Munda (Nokesville, Va./Kettle Run/Francis Marion).

Wise plated four runs in the fifth with a two-run single by Combs keying the rally.

The Cavaliers added a run in the seventh on a RBI-single by Bridget Hensel.

Combs went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and Hernandez went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs to pace the Cavaliers.

Junior catcher Molly Staley (Port Deposit, Md./Perryville) recorded a 2-for-3 effort at the plate for the Rams.

Taylor Brandts (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) (15-9) gained the complete game win. Junior pitcher Tara Hanson (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 Ks, 1 BB) (10-8) took the loss.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead against Fairmont State in the first inning when sophomore outfielder Courtney Clemons (Thurmont, Md./Catoctin) led off with a single and later scored on a single by Buckworth.

Fairmont State tied the game in the fourth as Courtney Iacobacci singled and later scored on a ground out by Sissy Stubbs.

Shepherd retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs as sophomore outfielder Jessica Robinson (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie) drove in a run with a bases-loaded walked and Clemons added an RBI-single.

Clemons led the Rams with a 3-for-3 effort. Buckworth added a 2-for-3 performance.

Hanson (7.0 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 Ks, 1 BB) (11-8) scattered three hits to gain the win. Hannah Absalom (6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 5 Ks, 2 BB) (8-9) took the loss for the Falcons.

The Rams return to tournament action on Saturday when they face Concord at noon.