SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Shepherd University (19-23, 9-15 PSAC East) split a doubleheader with Shippensburg (29-11, 16-8 PSAC East) in PSAC East softball action at Shippensburg on Tuesday. Shippensburg posted a 2-0 win in game one, while Shepherd gained the split with a 5-1 win in the nightcap.
The Raiders took a 1-0 lead in the first inning in game one as Caitlyn Martell singled and later scored on a double by Sarah Sabocsik.
Shippensburg added a run in the third as Martell led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sabocsik.
Senior second baseman Caitlin Donnelly (Newark, Del./Padua Academy) had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.
Martell went 2-for-3 to pace Shippensburg.
Alicia Ball (7.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 5 K, 2 BB) (16-3) earned the win. Freshman pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) (13-5) took the loss.
The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the second in the nightcap on a two-run single off the bat of junior shortstop Lexi Clatterbuck (Front Royal, Va./Skyline).
The Rams took a 3-0 advantage on a solo homer by junior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene) in the fourth.
Shepherd added a run in the fifth as senior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) reached on a walk, stole second, and scored on a single off the bat of Donnelly.
Shippensburg got on the board in the fifth. Emilee Sullivan tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Emily Lafferty.
The Rams completed the scoring in the seventh as senior outfielder Olivia Reese (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Donnelly.
Donnelly had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.
Taylor Myers went 2-for-3 for the Raiders.
Senior pitcher Kourtney McNatt (Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink/WV Tech) (7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 1 BB) (2-1) gained the win. Madalyn Dyer (3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) (9-3) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Friday when they travel to Mansfield for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
