SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (30-6, 18-2 MEC) swept Fairmont State (19-15, 13-7 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Sara Cree Field on Wednesday. The Rams gained a 3-1 win in game one and added a 7-0 victory in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the third inning in game one. Freshman designated player Lindsey Anderson (Winchester, Va./James Wood) walked and senior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) followed with a single. They were plated on a two-run single by freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville).
The Rams added a run in the fourth on a leadoff homer by senior outfielder Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland).
Fairmont State scored its run in the sixth as Kadi Cosgrove led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jenny Stubbs.
Haley McDaniel went 2-for-4 for the Falcons.
Junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB) (14-1) earned the win for the Rams. Hannah Absalom (6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 BB) took the loss.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap on an RBI-single by Sturgill.
Purtell smacked an RBI-single in the second to give the Rams a 2-0 advantage.
Shepherd upped its lead to 4-0 in the third behind a two-run double by Anderson.
The Rams completed the scoring with three runs in the sixth. Freshman outfielder Tori Seymour (Winchester, Va./Sherando), senior catcher Keslie Weaver (York, Pa./West York), and senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) each contributed RBI-singles.
Purtell went 3-for-4 and Anderson added a 3-for-3 performance to pace the Rams.
Stubbs went 2-for-3 for Fairmont State.
Sturgill (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 5 K, 2 BB) (113) earned the complete game shutout win. Kadi Cosgrove (3.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (2-3) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they travel to UVa-Wise for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
Notes: The Rams improved to 16-0 at Sara Cree Field this year … Shepherd has nine shutout wins on the season … the Rams have won 24 of their last 25 games.
