SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (26-6, 16-2 MEC) swept Urbana (5-29, 2-14 MEC) in MEC softball doubleheader action at Sara Cree Field on Sunday. The Rams gained a 7-1 win in game one and rallied for a 4-3 win in eight innings in the nightcap.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in game one on an RBI-double off the bat of senior first baseman Connor Gilligan (Medford, N.J. Shawnee).

After Urbana got a run in the second, Shepherd tacked on three runs in the third to take a 4-1 lead. Gilligan and senior outfielder Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) each drove in a run to key the scoring.

Shepherd added two runs in the fifth behind a sacrifice fly from freshman pinch-hitter Lindsey Anderson (Winchester, Va./James Wood) and an RBI-single from Sturgill.

The Rams complete the scoring with a run in the sixth as freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) reached on a fielder's choice and later scored when she stole home on a double steal.

Senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) and Gilligan each had a pair of hits to pace the Rams.

Jenna VanHoose went 2-for-2 for the Blue Knights.

Junior pitcher Taylor Stocks (Bunker Hill, W.Va./Musselman/Fordham) (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 13 K, 2 BB) (12-1) earned the win for the Rams. Izzy Helm (6.0 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 K, 3 BB) (1-4) took the loss.

Urbana took a 1-0 lead in the first in the nightcap on an RBI-single by Mia Smallwood.

Shepherd tied the game in the bottom of the frame as Purtell walked and later scored on a ground out by Konopka.

The Blue Knights took a 2-1 lead on an RBI-single by Britney Bonno in the second.

Shepherd tied the game at 2-2 in the third on an RBI-single by sophomore second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier).

Shepherd took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Anderson.

Urbana tied the game in the seventh on an RBI-single by Madison Bryant.

Shepherd captured the win in the eighth as senior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) reached on a walk and later scored when junior designated player Kayla Wilt (Hydman, Pa. Hydman/Potomac State) reached on an error.  

Sophomore shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) led the Rams with a 2-for-3 effort.

Sturgill (2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 K, 0 BB) (9-3) earned the win in relief. Kayleigh Pate (7.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 6 BB) (1-18) took the loss.

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