Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Shepherd University (3-1) won a pair of games in softball action at the Coker Spring Tournament on Sunday. The Rams gained a 3-1 win over WVU Tech (1-5) in an early game and added a 7-4 win over host Coker College (14-1) in a later contest.

WVU Tech took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Skylar Connelly walked and later scored on an error.

Shepherd took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame as freshman second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) doubled and scored when junior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) smacked a two-run blast to center.

The Rams added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI-single by junior shortstop Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee).

Taylor and sophomore third baseman Allison Baker (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

Freshman pitcher Cheyenne Van Pelt (South Riding, Va./Freedom) (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 UER, 9 K, 2 BB) gained the complete game win for the Rams. Taylor Abshagen (0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 0 BB) (0-1) took the loss for the Golden Bears.

Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning against Coker on a three-run blast off the bat of junior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee).

The Rams added two more runs in the fifth. Sophomore third baseman Allison Baker (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford) reached on a walk and was replaced by junior pinch-runner Ariana Ramirez (Gainesville, Va./Patriot). Ramirez moved to second on a walk by junior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) and advance to third on a wild pitch. Brown singled to plate Ramirez and Cox later scored on an infield error.

Coker scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Mindy North and Maria Williamson each drove in a run for the Cobras.

Coker added a run in the sixth on an RBI by Cacey Simmons.

Shepherd added a pair of runs in the seventh as Brown and Taylor each drove in a run.

Taylor had a pair hits and Cox scored two runs to pace the Rams.

North and Hannah Price each had a pair of hits for the Cobras.

Van Pelt (2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2K, 1 BB) (2-0) picked up the win in relief.  Brianna Strickland (4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 K 0 BB) took the loss for the Cobras.

The Rams return to action on March 3 when they travel to Millersville for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.