It can be difficult for a team to bounce back after a demoralizing loss, especially when the second game starts a mere 30 minutes later.
The Shippensburg University softball team regained its focus and retaliated on the West Chester University Golden Rams after a tough, five inning 10–1 mercy rule in Game 1 to capture Game 2, 8–1.
Game 1 featured a hot Golden Ram team knocking around SU pitchers Liz Parkins and Makenzie Lynn. The Parkins and Lynn duo gave up eight runs, four each, in four rough innings of work.
Parkins, who took the loss in Game 1, recorded three innings of work while giving up four earned runs on four hits.
It wasn’t until the fourth inning that the Golden Rams started getting to Parkins. SU had a slim 1–0 lead going into the fourth inning, but that quickly vanished as WCU strung together six hits including a walk.
Before the Raiders managed to get an out in the inning, the Golden Rams pushed four runs across the plate. Lynn came in to try and stop the bleeding, but she was unsuccessful as she gave up six runs, four earned in one inning.
SU’s bats were quiet when it needed them the most in the late innings.
After a hellacious fourth inning, the Raiders needed to find a way to stop the Golden Rams. SU did not have an answer as it gave up two more runs in the fifth inning.
Game 2 was a different story for the Raider bats. SU jumped out to an early 6–1 lead after an explosive four-run second inning. Emily Estep silenced the Golden Ram sluggers in Game 2. The senior threw a complete game, allowing just one run while striking out seven batters.
SU started the streak by pushing across two runs in its first at bat. The second inning saw a barrage of Raider hits and a quick accumulation of runs.
Hilary Lyons, Maddie Justice, and Jessie Trammell all drove in runs for the Raiders in an exciting second inning.
Trammell finished off the Raiders’ rally with a single down the right field line, scoring Taylor Pattillo and Justice. Trammell had an impressive day at the plate for SU going five-for-six with two RBI.
The Raiders padded their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Pattillo hit a frozen rope home run that snuck over the left-center field fence in the fourth inning.
Pattillo finished Saturday going three-for-six at the plate, scoring three runs and driving in one.
The Raiders return to action on Tuesday afternoon when they host East Stroudsburg University. Game 1 is set to start at 3:30 p.m. with Game 2 starting at 5:30 p.m.
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