The Shippensburg University’s softball team celebrated its seniors the best way it knew how; by winning a doubleheader against PSAC foe Edinboro University on Saturday from Robb field.
SU’s four seniors made their presence known as they edged EU by one run in each game. They also went extra innings in Game 2 as it took nine to finish off the Fighting Scots.
In Game 1, SU relied on senior Emily Parkins, who was looking to lock up her first win on the season. Parkins pitched seven strong innings allowing two earned runs and seven hits.
Senior catcher Meg Lehman had two key hits in the first game. It was senior Chelsea Kendall that stepped up big, hitting a key sacrifice fly in the game and also having a big single. She would also factor in Game 2. Freshman first baseman Maddie Justice proved to be the most valuable player though collecting two hits in four at bats, driving in a run, and making six put outs.
With SU trailing 2-1 entering its final at-bat, singles by sophomore Hilary Lyons and Lehman lead to freshman Taylor Weisman. Weisman came to the plate and sent a hard grounder to third base that went through the legs of the Fighting Scot fielder. Lyons rounded third on the play and ended up scoring safely after the throw from left field sailed over the catcher’s head and hit the backstop. Junior Kiersten Darhower who was pinch running for Lehman, reached third.
One batter later, Justice singled home Darhower to end the game.
In Game 2, both SU and EU squared off in a pitching duel as SU freshman Liz Parkins, younger sister of Game 1 starter Emily Parkins, took the hill.
The younger Parkins sister dominated EU. She allowed four singles over nine innings of work while striking out eight.
Parkins outdueled EU’s Kari Fulk who managed to stay on until the end when outfielder Rochelle Troise hit a game winning double in the ninth to bring home Chelsea Kendall.
Troise had been hitless in the doubleheader going 0-6 entering her final at bat.
The sweep helped propel SU to an overall 14-18 record heading into its next game.
SU will conclude its stretch of four home doubleheaders in eight days when it plays host to East Stroudsburg at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in a twin-bill from Robb Field.
SU’s Liz Parkins who pitched so well in Game 2 was named PSAC Eastern Division Pitcher of the week for her performance.
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