The Shippensburg University softball team fell in the first game, and took advantage of a blown call in the last inning of Game 2 to inch its way closer to a playoff berth after a Friday series against visiting Kutztown University.
In Game 1, both teams remained scoreless through the first inning.
In the second inning, KU pushed across one run in its half of the inning. However, SU quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double by Rachel Shumway. Kirstin McClune dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error allowed Shumway to score. A single by Kiersten Darhower, allowed SU to score two runs in the bottom half of the second.
The third and fourth inning were quiet with no runs scored by either team, but the offense started once again in the fifth inning.
KU strung together three straight singles to load the bases. A sacrifice fly brought one run home and two runs scored on a throwing error after a bunt attempt. KU scored three runs in the inning, and this would end the scoring for the game. SU lost, 4-2.
At the start of Game 2, both offenses were sluggish. KU finally got its first hit in the fourth inning, but the base runner was thrown out trying to steal which ended the inning. In the bottom half of the inning SU drew a walk as well as a single, but was unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.
In the fifth inning after a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, KU had a runner in scoring position, but poor base running led to another runner being thrown out trying to steal third. A fly out to right field would end the inning and KU lost another scoring opportunity.
SU answered in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff single of their own. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second, Maddie Justice knocked in the RBI with a hard single to left field. The score remained the same through the sixth inning.
KU threatened to score in the last inning after a double down the left field line and a single to right field put KU runners on first and third with only one out. A fly ball to center fielder Tyler Thompson ended the game after an incredible throw gunned down the KU runner trying to tie the game after the catch. The call from the umpire angered many as the runner appeared to slide under the tag untouched.
SU was able to hold onto the victory against the No. 4 Golden Bears, 1-0.
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