Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (25-16) swept a doubleheader from West Liberty (33-9) in MEC softball action at West Liberty on Friday. Shepherd gained a 10-1 win in five innings in game one and added a 2-1 triumph in the nightcap.

Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in game one as senior outfielder Paige Buckworth (Elkton, Md./North East), junior designated player Molly Staley (Port Deposit, Md./Perryville), and sophomore catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) each drove in a run.

The Rams plated seven runs in the third as a two-run double by sophomore outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) and a two-run single by Senior third baseman Alexandra Witt (Harpers Ferry, W.Va./Jefferson) highlighted the rally.

West Liberty scored in the third on an RBI-single by Nicole Chris.

Witt and sophomore first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee) each had a pair of hits, drove in two runs, and scored two to lead the Rams.

Senior pitcher Tara Hanson (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 E R, 4 K, 0 BB) (13-4) earned the win for the Rams. Megan Bosley (2.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 0 K, 1 BB) (1-3) took the loss for the Hilltoppers.

Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the third in the nightcap. Sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) led off with a single, moved to second on a single by junior shortstop Sarah North (Belcamp, Md./Harford Technical), and later scored on a single by Gilligan. North later scored on a single by Buckworth.

West Liberty rallied with a run in the seventh on an RBI-single by Sydney Bennington, but the Rams held on for the win.

Konopka went 3-for-4 to lead the Rams.

Bennington had a 3-for-4 effort for West Liberty.

Sophomore pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB) (6-3) gained the win for the Rams. Savannah Sieger (6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 1 BB) (8-5) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Sunday when they travel to Wheeling Jesuit for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.