WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Shepherd University (16-16, 6-8 PSAC East) split a doubleheader with West Chester (19-12, 8-6 PSAC East) in PSAC East softball action at West Chester on Saturday. West Chester gained an 8-2 win in game one and Shepherd earned the split with a 5-0 triumph in the nightcap.

The Rams took a 3-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap as senior second baseman Caitlin Donnelly (Newark, Del./Padua Academy) and freshman pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) both walked and junior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene) followed with a three-run blast.

The Rams added a pair of runs in the sixth on solo homers from freshman first baseman Brenna Collis (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) and senior outfielder Olivia Reese (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial).    

Ruffner (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 12 K, 1 BB) (12-1) scattered four hits in the complete game win. Makenzie Edwards (5.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) (7-4) took the loss.

West Chester took a 2-0 lead in the first inning in game one on a two-run homer by Mairead Hopkins.

Shepherd tied the game in the second as senior outfielder Isabella Forte (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) and Donnelly each drove in a run.

West Chester took the lead for good in the fourth on a two-run single by Alexa Peterson.

The Golden Rams got solo homers from Grace Aguilar and Hopkins in the fifth to take a 6-2 lead.

West Chester got an RBI-double from Tess Kearney and a run-scoring single from Hailey Melvin to complete the scoring.

Hopkins went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs for the Golden Rams.

Danielle Ciliberto (5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 9 K, 0 BB) (11-6) picked up the win. Senior pitcher Hannah Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) (3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K, 1 BB) (2-5) took the loss.

The Rams return to action on Monday when they travel to Millersville for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.