QUAKERTOWN, Pa. – Shepherd University (23-20-1) used a 14-hit attack en route to a 9-0 win over Gannon (29-18) in first day action of the 2025 PSAC Softball Tournament at Veterans Field on Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore pitcher Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington) tossed a three-hitter and recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
 
Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the third inning behind RBI-singles from senior third baseman Lauren Moore (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora/Trevecca Nazarene) and sophomore second baseman Cate Russian (Manassas, Va./Colgan) and a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior catcher Camdyn Noland (Summit Point, W.Va./Washington).
 
The Rams added a run in the fifth as sophomore catcher Madelyn Chambers (Stafford, Va./Brooke Point) singled and later scored on a double off the bat of Moore.
 
Shepherd scored five runs on six hits in the seventh to cap the scoring. Senior shortstop Lexi Clatterbuck (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) and Moore each smacked two-run singles to key the rally.
 
Moore went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in and Chambers went 3-for-4 with three runs scored to lead the Rams. Clatterbuck also added a 3-for-4 effort with a pair of runs batted in and a run scored, while Russian added a pair of hits.
 
Natalia Mallozzi went 2-for3 to lead the Golden Knights.              
 
Ruffner (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 15 K, 0 BB) (17-3) picked up the win. Katie Armstrong (4.1 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (15-7) took the loss.
               
The Rams will return to action on Thursday at 10 a.m. when they face East Stroudsburg.