Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CARY, N.C. – Shepherd University (5-4) swept a pair of games in softball action at the Shaw University Tournament on Sunday. The Rams posted a 5-4 win over Virginia State (2-8) in an early game and added an 11-1 triumph over host Shaw (1-11) in a later contest.

Virginia State took a 3-0 lead in the first inning as they scored a pair of runs on an infield error and got an RBI-double by Amirah Chaney.

Shepherd answered back with a pair of runs in the second. Sophomore first baseman Connor Gilligan Medford, N.J. Shawnee) reached on a hit-by-pitch and later scored when sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Halifax) reached base on an error. Junior outfielder Jessica Robinson (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie) walked and later scored on a passed ball.

The Rams added three more runs in the third as Gilligan and Robinson each had RBI-singles and added what would turn out to be the game-winner when sophomore catcher Keslie Weaver (York, Pa./West York) grounded out to plate sophomore outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax), who reached on a walk.

The Trojans added a single run in the fourth as Rebecca Elder reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a double by Maya Bailey.

Senior pitcher Tara Hanson (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (1-1) (7.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) picked up the complete game win for the Rams. Dominique Mulero (2.2 IP,2 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 K, 8 BB) took the loss for the Trojans.

The Rams erupted for nine runs in the third inning to break a 1-1 tie en route to an 11-1 win over Shaw. Robinson had a three-run double to key the rally.

Shepherd added a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman infielder Debbie Stuart (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run)

Freshman first baseman Kelcie Jenkins (Bunker Hill, W,Va./Musselman), Cox, Robinson, and Weaver each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Tori Hale went 2-for-3 to lead Shaw.

Hanson (5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 1 BB) gained the win to improve to 2-1. Shaw starter Sheni Fahie (2.1 IP 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 K, 6 BB) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host West Chester for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

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