WHEELING, W.Va. – Shepherd University (33-11, 21-7 MEC) split with Wheeling Jesuit (8-35, 5-21 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Wheeling Jesuit on Monday. Shepherd gained a 9-1 win in game one and Wheeling Jesuit earned a 5-2 victory in the nightcap.

Senior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee) went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer in the third and freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) added a 3-for-5 effort to lead a 15-hit attack for the Rams in game one.

Brianna Grimes and Gina Fogle each had a pair of hits for the Cardinals.

Senior pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K, 4 BB) (13-5) earned the complete game win. Erin Unterbrink (4.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 K, 0 BB) (2-7) took the loss.

Courtney Rogers belted a grand slam in the third inning in the nightcap to give the Cardinals a 4-0 advantage.

Shepherd answered back with a pair of runs in the fifth behind RBI-singles from Purtell and Gilligan.

Wheeling Jesuit added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI-single by Alaina York.

Sophomore shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) and Purtell each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Kelsey Barron went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored to lead the Cardinals.

Barron (7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 3 BB) (5-14) gained the win for the Cardinals. Freshman pitcher Sarah Lamper (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) (4.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 K, 3 BB) (2-2) took the loss for the Rams.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they host Kutztown for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader.