CLERMONT, Fla. – Shepherd University (4-6) dropped a pair of games in softball action at The Spring Games on Friday. The Rams dropped a 7-6 decision to American International (3-4) in the early game and came up short on a 3-1 outcome to Saint Michael's (2-0) in the later game.
 
American International scored three in the top of the seventh to rally past Shepherd for a 7-6 win. Jilien Ayala hit a two-run single and later scored on a single by Brianna Sala to key the rally.
 
Freshman outfielder Haylee Hartman (Keedysville, Md./Boonsboro) went 1-for-4 with a three-run double to lead the Rams. Sophomore infielder Cate Russian (Manassas, Va./Colgan) and sophomore catcher Madelyn Chambers (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) each added a pair of hits.
 
Ayala went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs to lead American International.
 
Julia Krijgsman (5.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 2 BB) (1-0) got the win. Trinity LaValley (1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 K, 1 BB) earned the save (1). Junior pitcher Abby McBride (North East, Md./Rising Sun) (2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 K, 2 BB) (0-2) took the loss.           
  
Saint Michael's took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning in the later game on an RBI-single by Maddy Booska.
 
Shepherd tied the game in the fifth when sophomore pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) tripled and later scored on a wild pitch.
 
The Purple Knights plated a pair of runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Brooke Bishop to grab the win.
 
Senior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene) and Ruffner each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.
 
Maddy Eaton  (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER,0 K, 3 BB) (1-0) gained the win. Kate Parker (5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 6 K, 1 BB) picked up the save (1). Freshman pitcher Sam Colaw (Petersburg, W.Va./Petersburg) (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER 2 K, 3 BB) (0-3) took the loss.
 
The Rams return to action on Saturday when they face Emporia State at 9 a.m. and Purdue Northwest at 11:15 p.m. to complete play at The Spring Games.