BRISTOL, Tenn. – Shepherd University (1-3) split a pair of games in softball action at King (Tenn.) University on Sunday. The Rams gained an 8-0 win over Emory & Henry (2-4) in an early game and dropped a 9-2 decision to King (7-5) in a later contest.

The Rams took a 2-0 lead against Emory & Henry in the second inning on a two-run single off the bat of freshman catcher Madelyn Chambers (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point).

Shepherd added two more runs in the third behind an RBI ground out by senior second baseman Caitlin Donnelly (Newark, Del./Padua Academy) and a run-scoring single by senior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville).

The Rams plated four runs in the sixth to end the game on the eight-run rule.  Senior outfielder Elizabeth Padiotis (Aldie, Va./John Champe) belted a three-run blast, and freshman infielder Cate Russian (Manassas, Va./Colgan) singled and later scored on a wild pitch.

Chambers went 2-for-3 to lead the Rams.

Freshman pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 13 K, 2 BB) (1-0) tossed a two-hit shutout in her first career start. Bailey Payne (2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 K, 4 BB) (0-1 took the loss.

Alyssa Suits went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a pair of runs batted in to lead King in the later game. Aviah Bunsic added a 2-for-3 effort, drove in a pair of runs, and scored another.

Junior infielder Lexi Clatterbuck (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) belted a two-run homer in the fifth to lead the Rams.

Marleigh Duncan (7.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 4 BB) (2-2) picked up the win for King. Freshman pitcher Trynda Mantz (Edinburg, Va./Central)(1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (0-1) took the loss.             

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Indiana (Pa.) for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.