Game 1:
The Shippensburg University softball team suffered its sixth loss of the season Saturday afternoon against Lock Haven University. SU dropped a tightly contested battle 2–1 at Robb Field.

Neither team managed to put runs up on the board until the fifth inning. SU managed to get its first run off a line drive to left field by leadoff hitter Kiersten Darhower. The frozen rope to left drove in junior outfielder Hilary Lyons. With Raider runners on second and third, LHU pitcher Brianna Jennings managed to strike out Emmie Burke to end the scoring threat.

The Eagles answered back in the sixth.

LHU’s Sarah Schwalm hit a shot down the right-field line and with her hustle managed to leg out a double. Then, senior outfielder Alyssa Smith hit a shot back at Raiders’ pitcher Makenzie Lynn who managed to get a piece of leather on it. The ball caromed to second baseman Rachel Shumway who did not have a play at first. With no play at first, Schwalm took advantage of the hesitation by

Shumway and hustled home for the Eagles’ first run of the game, tying the game at one.
Neither team managed to score a run for the next two innings, sending the game into extra innings.

In the ninth inning Jennings gave herself the run support she needed when she cranked a home run deep to left field, giving LHU its first lead of the game 2–1.

SU tried to rally in the ninth but solid defensive play from LHU kept them off the board. Briana Giovenco, looking to supplement her excellent play in the field by using her bat, hit a shot into left, but was denied by an excellent diving catch by left fielder Alyssa Smith. Kirstin McClune grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.

Game 2:

The Raiders looked to bounce back from a tough Game 1 loss as they sent junior Emily Estep to the circle to try and shut down the Bald Eagles.

That is exactly what Estep did. She recorded four strikeouts and went the distance for the Raiders in their 1–0 victory in Game 2.

Estep dominated the Bald Eagles the entire game, allowing five hits. She was equally matched by LHU pitcher Sarah Mores. Mores allowed three hits in six innings of work.

SU scored its lone run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Darhower reached first on an error, scoring Lyons. Darhower finished the day with two RBIs. Lyons went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Estep dominated the rest of the game but got into trouble in the seventh inning. She allowed two runners to reach base with only one out. However, with some strategic pitching and good defensive play, Estep was able to shut down the Bald Eagles’ threat.

With the win, Estep takes her record to 12–3 with a 1.10 ERA and 14 complete games — the highest on the Raiders’ pitching staff.

SU returns to Robb Field on Friday, April 19 to take on West Chester University. The Golden Rams are currently No. 2 in the PSAC East.

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