WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Shepherd University (9-7) swept a pair of games in softball action at The Spring Games on Friday. The Rams recorded a 6-0 win over New Haven (2-8) in an early game and added a 5-2 victory over Saint Anselm (6-12) in the later contest.
Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against New Haven as junior outfielder Lauren Alt (Upper Tract, W.Va./Petersburg) led off with a double and scored on a double off the bat of sophomore catcher Camdyn Noland (Summit Point, W.Va./Washington).
The Rams added a run in the second as senior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) reached on an error, stole second, and scored on a single by junior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene).
Noland added a two-run single in the sixth to up the Shepherd lead to 4-0.
Shepherd completed the scoring in the seventh on a run-scoring single by senior pitcher Kourtney McNatt (Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink/WV Tech) and a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior pinch-hitter Olivia Reese (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial).
Noland went 3-for-4 to lead a 10-hit attack for the Rams.
Freshman pitcher Trynda Mantz (Edinburg, Va./Central) (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K, 4 BB) (1-1) gained the complete game win. Viana McKinley (6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 ER, 1 K, 5 BB) (0-2) took the loss.
Saint Anselm took a 1-0 lead in first in the later game on a sacrifice fly by Ava Caputo.
Shepherd answered back with three runs in the bottom of the first. Freshman designated player/pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) smacked a two-run single to key the rally.
Saint Anselm added a run in the fourth as Sam Wiberg led off with a single and later scored on a passed ball.
Shepherd responded with a two-run single from graduate student catcher Alex Mantz (Edinburg, Va./Central) in the bottom of the fourth.
Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) (6-0) gained the win. Sam Ryan (0.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 3 BB) (0-6) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they face Northern State at 10 a.m. and Hillsdale at 12:30 p.m. as they wrap up play at The Spring Games.