BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Shepherd University went 1-1 in first day action of the PSAC Softball Tournament at Grand Slam Park on Wednesday. Shepherd (24-22) handed Clarion (18-25) an 8-0 setback in five innings in the early game and dropped a 3-2 decision to IUP (36-17) in a later game.
Shepherd took a 4-0 lead in the first inning with freshman third baseman
Hailey Putnam (Walkersville, Md./Walkersville) hitting an RBI-double and later scored on a wild pitch to highlight the rally.
Junior first baseman
Brenna Collis (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville) belted a solo blast in the third to up the lead to 5-0.
Sophomore outfielder
Haylee Hartman (Keedysville, Md./Boonsboro) smacked a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.
Shepherd ended the game early in the fifth due to the eight-run rule as sophomore designated player
Samantha Colaw (Petersburg, W.Va./Petersburg) doubled and was replaced by junior pinch-runner
Sadie Kittoe (Winchester, Va./James Wood). Kittoe scored on a single by junior pitcher
Madelayne Ruffner (Charles Town, W.Va./Washington).
Putnam went 2-for-2 to lead the Rams.
Ruffner (5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 11 K, 0 BB) (15-7) gained the complete game shutout win. Emma Hipps (8-11) (3.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 K, 2 BB) took the loss.
Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the third in the game against Indiana (Pa.) as Colaw and Ruffner each drove in a run.
The Crimson Hawks answered back with three runs in the fourth. Reagan Rand had an RBI-triple and alter scored on an error to key the rally.
Collis went 2-for-3 to lead the Rams.
Brianna Pusateri was 3-for-3 for the Crimson Hawks.
Taylor Bumgardner (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (16-7) got the win. Colaw (3.0 IP 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 1 BB) (2-4) took the loss.
The Rams return to action on Thursday when they face the winner of tomorrow's California (Pa.)-Seton Hill game at 3 p.m.
