SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University (3-3) swept a doubleheader with Slippery Rock (1-5) in softball action at Sara Cree Field on Sunday. The Rams gained a 9-1 win in six innings in game one and added a 5-3 triumph in the nightcap.
Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in game one. Senior outfielder Hannah Beeler (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) had a two-run single and freshman first baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) added an RBI-single.
The Rams added four runs in the fifth to take a 7-0 lead with an RBI-triple by graduate student third baseman Nicole Purtell (Centreville, Va./Centreville) and an RBI-single by junior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) keying the rally.
After Slippery Rock plated a run in the top of the sixth, Shepherd scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to end the game early due to the eight-run rule. Moore belted a solo homer and senior catcher Alex Mantz (Edinburg, Va./Central) doubled and later scored on a passed ball.
Moore went 3-for-4 and Forte was 2-for-3 to lead the Rams.
Junior pitcher Hannah Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (2-0) earned the win for the Rams. Kelsi Anderson (4.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 5 K, 1 BB) (1-1) took the loss for Slippery Rock.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first in the nightcap as Purtell led off with a double and later scored on a passed ball.
The Rock took a 2-1 lead in the third on a two-run homer by Alexsa Hurd.
Shepherd tied the third on an RBI-single by senior outfielder Kylie Condon (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington).
The Rams took a 3-2 lead in the fourth as Purtell doubled and later scored on a single by Beeler.
Slippery Rock got an RBI-double from Cami Fisk in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3.
Shepherd plated two runs in the sixth to gain the win. Forte was hit-by-pitch and later scored on a passed ball. Purtell singled and later scored when senior first baseman Cameron Davis (Ayden, N.C./South Central/UNC Pembroke) reached on a fielder's choice.
Purtell went 4-for-4 to pace the Rams.
Hurd and Fiske each went 2-for-4 for Slippery Rock.
Senior pitcher Katie Laing (Jefferson, Md./Brunswick) (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 BB) (1-2) gained the win for the Rams. Claire Zimmerman (6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 4 K, 1 BB) (0-3) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they travel to West Liberty for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
