Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) singled home sophomore pinch-runner Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Shepherd University (33-18, 19-11 MEC) a 3-2 win in the nightcap to gain a doubleheader split with West Virginia State (24-28, 10-20 MEC) in MEC softball action at Shepherd on Saturday. West Virginia State gained 3-1 victory in game one.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the nightcap as junior shortstop Sarah North (Belcamp, Md./Harford Technical) singled, stole second, and scored on a single by senior outfielder Paige Buckworth (Elkton, Md./North East).

West Virginia State rallied with a pair of runs in the fifth as Brookelyn Hale and Brittany Allison were each hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to give the Yellow Jackets the lead.

Shepherd tied the game in the bottom of the frame as sophomore first baseman Connor Gilligan Medford, N.J. Shawnee) led off with single and was replaced by freshman pinch-runner Bailee Jackson (Union, W.Va./James Monroe). Jackson later scored on a sacrifice fly by senior third baseman Alexandra Witt (Harpers Ferry, W.Va./Jefferson).

Sophomore catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) doubled in the seventh and was replaced by Cox. This set up Konopka's late-game heroics.

Konopka had a pair of hits to pace the Rams.

Senior pitcher Tara Hanson (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB) (17-5) earned the win in relief in the nightcap. Amanda McDonald (6.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) (3-8) took the loss for the Yellow Jackets.

West Virginia State took a 1-0 lead in the second inning in game one. Madison Rafulson reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a double by Zoey Carte.

The Yellow Jackets added a pair of runs in the third on a pair of hits and two errors.

Shepherd scored in the fourth on a solo blast by Witt.

Hanson (2.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) took the loss in game one. Emily Thompson (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB) (8-12) gained the win for the Yellow Jackets. Callie Norton (1.0 IP, 0 K, 1 BB) tossed hitless ball in the seventh to gain the save.

The Rams return to action on Sunday when they host Charleston for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Notes: Tara Hanson broke a pair of career marks for the Rams … she surpassed Nichole Pitcock (539.2 IP and 107 appearances -- 2008-11) with 544.0 career innings pitched and 109 career appearances.