With a walk-off single up the middle, the Shippensburg University softball team capped off a sweep of their doubleheader with Kutztown University on Saturday afternoon at Robb Field.
SU shut out the Golden Bears in Game 1 4-0. Both offenses started the game slowly, but SU was able to mount an offensive attack in the fourth and fifth innings.
Sophomore Kiersten Darhower started off the fourth inning with a bunt-single and a stolen base. Taylor Weisman drove in Darhower with a triple, and was brought home during the next at bat by Maddie Justice, who reached on a throwing error.
In the fifth inning, SU loaded the bases, and brought in its third run of the game on a hit batter, walking in the runner. Jessie Trammell hit a single to the left side, bringing in the fourth run of the game. Four runs proved plenty to give SU the win in the first game.
Emily Estep pitched all seven innings for SU, allowing only two hits and one walk, while striking out 12 batters in the game.
Game 2 was much closer than Game 1. It took SU to its last at-bat to earn the victory.
As in the first game, both offenses found their bats to be cold. SU scored its first run in the bottom half of the fourth inning from a Weisman single, bringing home Tyler Thompson, who singled and stole second base prior.
KU answered back in the top of the fifth with a run of its own. With the score tied, both offenses once again found trouble in trying to bring home the go-ahead run.
In SU’s half of the seventh inning, Emmie Burke smashed a double to right field, quickly putting the pressure on KU. Burke advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hilary Lyons.
Rachel Shumway ended the game with a walk-off single up the middle, bringing home Burke and sending KU away with two losses on the day.
SU will be away for its next three games, but will return home on April 13 to face off against Lock Haven University.
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