After an impressive opening National Training Center spring game, the Shippensburg University softball team was back on the diamond to take on Northwood University and Stonehill College on Sunday in Clermont, Fla. The Raiders fell to NU 7–1 in Game 1 but defeated SC 4–1 in Game 2.
On Saturday the Raiders dominated the circle and received a key hit late in the game to pick up on a victory, Sunday was a different story.
Game 1:SU sent Makenzie Lynn to the circle to try and capture its fifth consecutive victory of the year. The junior was knocked around early and often.
Lynn started the game strong, allowing one hit and no runs in her first inning of work but the Timber Wolves got to Lynn in the second inning.
NU’s Stacey Klonowski reached on a throwing error from the SU shortstop. Klonowski later stole second base, putting her in scoring position. Jessica Tostrud singled to left field on the next at bat, scoring Klonowski.
Tostrud scored later that inning when Kelsey Beck reached on a throwing error from the Raider third baseman, putting WU up 2–0 after two innings.
SU scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the third inning.
Taylor Weisman started the inning with a double to left. Timber Wolf pitcher, Maddison Sebald, recorded the next out but walked the preceding two batters, loading the bases for SU’s Hilary Lyons. Lyons knocked in Weisman when she grounded out to second base. Sebald regained focus and recorded the final out of the inning.
Lynn gave up three more runs, one in the third inning and two in the fifth inning before she was replaced by freshman Casey Thompson.
Lynn finished the game with five strikeouts, one walk and three earned runs.
Thompson held her own during her first outing of her Raider career, giving up just two runs and striking out two. Thompson gave up a two-run home run to center field in the top of the seventh inning, her only blemish of the afternoon.
The Raiders manage to get one runner on base in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to score, falling to the Timber Wolves.
Game 2: SU looked to bounce back after a tough loss to start the day. The Raiders sent Liz Parkins to the circle and she dominated the Skyhawks in her five innings of work.
The Raiders struck first in the top of the third inning when they pushed across three runs.
Taylor Llewellyn walked to start the inning — Julie Cramer came in to run for Llewellyn. The next Raider batter struck out but Briana Giovenco walked after Cramer stole second. The Raiders were in prime position to notch a few early runs.
SU cashed in on the early opportunity when Parkins doubled to right field, scoring Cramer and Giovenco.
Maddie Justice followed Parkins and singled to right field, allowing Parkins to score as the Raiders took a 3–0 lead.
Parkins allowed just one run which came in the bottom of the fourth inning when she gave up an RBI single to SC shortstop Emily Padilla.
SU added an insurance run in the sixth inning off a throwing error from the SC catcher.
Justice led off the inning with her second hit of the game, this one a double to center field. Rachel Shumway later reached on a fielding error, moving Justice to third base.
Raider pinch hitter, Courtney Kane, stuck out swinging as Shumway stole second. The Skyhawks’ catcher threw the ball away which allowed Justice to score an unearned run, putting the Raiders up 4–1.
Parkins got into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning before she was relieved by Emily Estep.
Parkins recorded five strikeouts and allowed seven hits during her second outing of the season.
Estep shutdown the Skyhawk’s surge and remained in for the remaining two innings.
After the split on Sunday, SU is now 5–1 on the season.
The Raiders now have an off day before they return to field for another double header. This time SU takes on Alderson-Broaddus College at 11 a.m. and the University of Bridgeport at 1 p.m. in Clermont, Fla.
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