SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (36-14, 23-9 MEC) split with West Virginia State (31-12, 24-8 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Sara Cree Field on Sunday. Shepherd earned a 4-0 win in game one, while West Virginia State grabbed a 3-0 win in the nightcap.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning in game one as sophomore second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) walked and scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham).

The Rams added three runs in the sixth. Senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) senior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax), and freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) reached on consecutive singles. Konopka scored when senior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee) walked with the bases loaded and Cox scored when Brown did the same. Sophomore shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Purtell.

Senior pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) (4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 K, 4 BB) (15-6) earned the win. Emilee Turner (5.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 K, 3 BB) (6-2) took the loss.

West Virginia State took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap on an RBI-single from Emma Ruth.

The Yellow Jackets added two runs in the fourth behind a two-run single by Kayleigh Thompson.

Thompson went 2-for-4 for the Jackets.

Kasey Murphy (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K, 2 BB) (7-2) gained the win. Junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) (4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 6 K, 2 BB) (16-5) took the loss.

Shepherd awaits word on pairings for next week's MEC Tournament (May 3-5) in Salem, Virginia.