SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – Shepherd University (13-13, 3-5 PSAC East) split a doubleheader with Kutztown (14-9, 2-2 PSAC East) in PSAC East softball action at Sara Cree Field on Tuesday. The Rams posted a 9-1 win in six innings in game one, while Kutztown recorded a 9-1 win in six innings in the nightcap.

Kutztown took a 1-0 lead in the second inning in game one as Hannah Reimel reached on an error and was replaced by pinch-runner Aysha Gibbs. Gibbs later scored on a single by Morgan Slomkowski.

Shepherd plated four runs in the fourth behind a two-run double by junior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene) and RBI-doubles from freshman pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) and senior outfielder Olivia Reese (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial).

Freshman first baseman Brenna Collis (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) added a run-scoring single in the fifth to up the lead to 5-1.

Shepherd ended the game in the sixth as graduate student catcher Alex Mantz (Edinburg, Va./Central) and sophomore catcher Camdyn Noland (Summit Point, W.Va./Washington) each belted two-run homers.

Senior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) and Noland each had a pair of hits to lead an 11-hit attack for the Rams.

Ruffner (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 9 K, 0 BB) (10-1) earned the complete game victory. Haley Gravish (3.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) (5-6) took the loss.

Clinging to a 3-1 lead in the nightcap, Kutztown plated two runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to gain the early win.

Collis and Mantz each went 2-for-3 to lead the Rams.

Emily Henn went 2-for-3 with three runs scored to lead the Golden Bears.

Gravish (3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K, 0 BB) (6-6) gained the win. Senior pitcher Hannah Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 1 BB) (2-3) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Friday when they host Mansfield for a 1 p.m. doubleheader