WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (25-10) split with West Liberty (30-14) in non-conference softball doubleheader action at West Liberty on Sunday. The Rams earned a 2-0 win in game one, while West Liberty posted a 7-1 win in the nightcap.
Shepherd plated a pair of runs in the sixth inning to grab the win in game one. Senior second baseman Leann Brown (Hume, Va./Fauquier) hit a two-out single and stole second base. Sophomore designated player Cameron Davis (Ayden, N.C./South Central/UNC Pembroke) drew a walk and was replaced by freshman pinch-runner Sophia Pell (Winchester, Va./Millbrook). Brown was then replaced by freshman pinch-runner Chloee Burton (Maurertown, Va./Central). Senior shortstop Ashley Burger (Hedgesville, W.Va./Spring Mills) followed with a two-run double to lift the Rams to victory.
Brown and Burger each had a pair of hits for the Rams.
Sophomore pitcher Katie Laing (Jefferson, Md./Brunswick) (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 K, 1 BB) (10-3) gained the complete-game win. Taylor Bonnett (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K, 1 BB) (1-2) took the loss in relief for West Liberty.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first in the nightcap as junior third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) doubled and later scored when she stole home when Burger stole second.
The Hilltoppers scored three runs in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer by Katie Beeman keying the rally.
West Liberty added two runs in the second behind an RBI-single by Sidney Little and a sacrifice fly by Beeman.
The Hilltoppers added two runs in the sixth on a two-run homer by Kat Donzella.
Purtell went 3-for-4 and Burger went 3-for-3 to pace the Rams.
Donzella went 3-for-4 and Beeman was 2-for-2 to lead the Hilltoppers.
Annie Paterson (6.0 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB) (7-4) earned the win. Senior pitcher Cheyenne Van Pelt (South Riding, Va./Freedom) (1.0 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 0 K, 1 BB) (2-3) took the loss.
The second-seeded Rams (25-10, 20-8 PSAC East) return to action on Wednesday, May 5 against third-seeded West Chester (24-12, 20-12 PSAC East) in the PSAC Tournament quarterfinal round. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. at Sara Cree Field. The two teams will play a best-of-three series on Wednesday (two games) and Thursday (one game, if necessary).
