WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (41-16) recorded a 3-0 win over West Liberty (39-18) in NCAA II Atlantic Regional action at West Liberty on Saturday to capture the Atlantic Region 1 title.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Freshman third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) reached on a hit-by-pitch and later scored when senior catcher Rachel Taylor (Marshall, Va./Fauquier) walked with the bases loaded.

The Rams added a pair of runs in the fifth. Sophomore second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) and senior outfielder Morgan Cox (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) started the rally with back-to-back singles. They moved up on a ground out by senior outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) and scored on a single to left by Purtell.

"The girls were ready from the beginning," said head coach Marissa Leslie. "We knew whoever we faced they would have to beat us twice and that gave us extra confidence at the start of the game."

"Scoring in the first inning was huge for us," added Leslie. We got a hit, then in a hit-by-pitch, so we were able to move up and then getting to back-to-back walks that scored a run that proved to be huge. We just put the pressure on them early and it worked out to our advantage."

Senior pitcher Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K, 2 BB) (18-7) gained the complete game win. Makenzie Amend (4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) (12-7) took the loss.

"Lori on the mound has been huge for us all year and she threw another great game," said Leslie. "The umpires at this level have a tighter zone so she was able to adjust and came back in a few 3-0 and 3-1 counts."

"This is the greatest feeling in the world," Leslie stated. "To go 3-0 in the NCAA regionals feels amazing! The girls have had this in them from day one. The senior leadership is tremendous, I couldn't be more proud of them."

Shepherd advances to the Super Regionals next week against West Chester (37-19), the Atlantic Region 2 champion. West Chester handed West Virginia State an 11-5 setback to win the title.

Notes: Shepherd's 41 wins tie the 2017 team for the most in program history … The Rams even their mark at 8-8 in NCAA II regional play … Sturgill recorded her 18th complete game and her sixth shutout of the year.