The Shippensburg University softball team took on Pace University Saturday in Murfreesboro, N.C. The Raiders picked up a 9–0 victory in the first game and dropped a tough second game 1–0.
Game 1:The first game began with a bang from Raider sophomore Jessie Trammell. Trammell hit a solo homer in the top of the first to put SU up 1-0.
In the third inning, the Raiders were able to string a few hits together to muster an unearned run. It all started when senior Kiersten Darhower was able to reach first on an error from Pace’s second baseman.
Trammel followed up with a single to left center, moving Darhower to second. Sophomore short stop Taylor Weisman was able to draw a walk, loading the bases for the Raiders.
SU sophomore Maddie Justice reached first on yet another error by Pace second baseman Lana Buchbinder, scoring Darhower and putting the Raiders up 2–0.
To start off the top of the fourth, SU received a pair of walks from junior Kristin McClune and sophomore Liz Parkins. Darhower advanced McClune and Parkins when Pace pitcher Kelly Fisher committed an error.
Both McClune and Parkins scored off a Weisman double to left-center. Darhower scored again later in the inning when Justice was caught stealing, allowing the Raiders to take a 5–0 lead.
SU struck again in the top of the fifth. Freshman Briana Giovenco walked and McClue drove her in with a single to left-center. McClune made it to third after singles from both Parkins and Darhower.
Trammell singled up the middle— her third of the day—driving in Darhower, putting SU up 7–0 after four and a half innings of play.
SU wasn’t quite done yet. It was able to score two more runs after sophomore Tyler Thompson singled and Darhower reached first on a fielder’s choice. Trammell recorded her fourth and final hit of the game, driving in Thompson and Darhower, taking the Raiders’ lead to 9-0.
Trammell finished the game with four hits in five plate appearances and four RBIs. McClune ended the game two for two at the plate, Taylor Weisman totaled two RBIs on one hit and walked three times.
Even through SU scored nine runs, it really did not need them all. Parkins pitched a four-hit shutout, leading the Raiders to their fourth overall win.
Game 2:Game 2 was more of pitcher’s duel, only nine total hits were recorded and Pace escaped with a 1–0 win. Both pitchers went seven innings.
SU’s junior pitcher Emily Estep gave up four hits, struck out nine and allowed only one earned run.
That run would be costly because it was the only run Pace needed to get the win.
Estep gave up a solo homerun to left-center. SU was not able to string any hits together, let alone runs.
SU’s Thompson, Darhower, Justice, Taylor Llewellyn and Emmie Burke all recorded one hit a piece for the Raiders, splitting the doubleheader and sending the Raiders to a 4–2 record.
SU will be back in action on Sunday when it faces Chowan in Murfreesboro, N.C.
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