WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (32-10, 20-6 MEC) dropped a pair of games to West Liberty (26-15, 17-6 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at West Liberty on Thursday. West Liberty gained a 7-0 win in game one and added a 4-3 win in nine innings in the nightcap.

West Liberty took a 1-0 lead in the second inning in the nightcap behind an RBI-double by Anna Patterson.

Shepherd tied the game in the third as senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) reached on a bunt single, stole second, and scored on a double off the bat of freshman catcher Lindsey Anderson (Winchester, Va./James Wood).

The Hilltoppers took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on an RBI-single by Allie Cook.

Shepherd tied the game in the seventh as Konopka tripled and scored when Anderson reached on a fielder's choice.

The Rams took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth and Konopka doubled and scored on a single by Anderson.

Kelly Mullins and Audrey Meloun each drove in a run in the bottom of the frame for West Liberty to give the Hilltoppers the sweep.

Konopka went 3-for-4 with three runs scored to lead Shepherd.

Riley Bennington (9.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) (7-5) gained the win. Senior pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) (8.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 6 K, 4 BB) (12-5) took the loss.

Kate Meloun went 3-for-4 and scored three runs to lead the Hilltoppers in the game one win.

Senior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) went 2-for-3 to pace the Rams.

Holding a 3-0 lead, West Liberty plated three runs on one hits and two errors in the fourth inning to command of the game.

Patterson (7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 5 K, 2 BB) (7-4) gained the win. Junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) (2.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (15-3) took the loss for the Rams.

The Rams return to action on Monday when they travel to Wheeling Jesuit for an 11 a.m. doubleheader.