ATHENS, W.Va. – Shepherd University (32-8, 20-4 MEC) split with Concord (26-17, 14-10 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Concord on Tuesday. The Rams recorded a 7-1 victory in game one while the Mountain Lions gained a 2-1 win in the nightcap.

Concord took a 1-0 lead in the second inning in game one behind and RBI-double by Abby Beatty.

Shepherd tied the game in the fifth senior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) reached on a hit-by-pitch and was replaced by pinch-runner Haley Dawson (Inwood, W.Va./Washington). Dawson later scored on a single by senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee).

The Rams plated three runs on two hits and three errors in the sixth to take a 4-1 advantage.

Shepherd added three runs in the seventh on a two-run blast by senior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee) and a solo round-tripper by senior pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland).

Konopka and Gilligan each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.\

Sturgill (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (12-4) earned the win. Darby Fitzpatrick (3.0 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (4-5) took the loss in relief.

Concord took a 1-0 lead in the fourth in the nightcap on a solo homer by Jenna Witt.

Shepherd tied the game in the seventh as junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) walked and later scored on a single by freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville).

Concord scored the game-winner in the bottom of the frame as Kaitlyn Stewart led off with a double and scored on a double by Laura Thompson.

Purtell had two hits to lead the Rams.

Dani Bloomingdale went 2-for-2 for the Mountain Lions.

Cartney Schoolcraft (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 3 BB) (11-5) gained the win. Stocks (6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 3 BB) (15-2) took the loss for the Rams.

The Rams return to action on Friday when they travel to West Liberty for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader.