Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (12-4, 5-1 MEC)  swept Urbana University (3-21, 1-7 MEC) in MEC softball action at Shepherd on Sunday. The Rams gained a 9-1 win in six innings in game one and added a 4-1 triumph in the nightcap.

Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in game one behind a two-run double off the bat of freshman second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) and an RBI-single by junior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee).

The Rams added a pair of runs in the second on one hit and three errors. Freshman shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) led off with a single and later scored on an error. The Rams added another run when senior pitcher Kaitlin Munda (Nokesville, Va./Kettle Run/Francis Marion) reached on an error and later scored on an error.

Shepherd extended its lead to 7-0 with two runs in the fourth. Junior pitcher/designated player Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) had an RBI-single to key the rally.

Urbana got a run in the sixth as Briana Bamber walked and later scored on a single by Margo Jackson.

Shepherd got two runs in the bottom of the frame to gain the early win via the eight-run rule. Konopka singled, stole second, and scored on a single by junior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax). Cox scored the game-winner when she was plated on a double off the bat of junior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier).

Munda (Nokesville, Va./Kettle Run/Francis Marion) (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 7 K 1 BB) and Sturgill (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (5-2) combined on a one-hitter for the Rams. Carly Allen (1.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 0 K, 1 BB) (1-11) took the loss for the Blue Knights.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the fourth in the nightcap as Gilligan reached on a single and later scored on a single by senior outfielder Jessica Robinson (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie).

The Rams added three runs in the fifth with a two-run single by junior outfielder Alexis Shearer (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Area/Hagerstown CC) keying the rally.

Urbana avoided the shutout with a run in the seventh. Mykee Holtz led off with a double and later scored on a groundout by Allison Neeld.

Konopka and Robinson each had a pair of hits to pace the Rams.

Freshman pitcher Cheyenne Van Pelt (South Riding, Va./Freedom) (5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K, 0 BB) (3-0) gained the win for the Rams with relief help from sophomore Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1K 1 BB). Jade Laviolette (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (1-3) took the loss for the Blue Knights.

The Rams return to action on Monday when they host Notre Dame for a noon doubleheader.