The Shippensburg University softball team split its slate of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern division games this past week — dropping both games of a two-game series with Millersville University, but ultimately rebounding by sweeping its two-game series with East Stroudsburg University.

The first game of the week came Thursday in Millersville where the Raiders fell 7-0 to the Marauders. The game was close late, but an explosive offensive performance in Millersville’s final series of at-bats was the difference.

The Marauders scored all of the games seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but got some help from Shippensburg along the way. The Raiders chalked up three errors and allowed three unearned runs in that frame.

The second game of the week was the conclusion to the doubleheader with Millersville. Shippensburg rallied late in the seventh of this one, but came up short — losing 4-3.

Millersville had built itself a three-run lead by way of a two-out rally in the fourth inning, but the Raiders would not go away quietly. In the top of the seventh inning, Shippensburg was able to drive in Freshman Emily Gigliotti after she opened the frame with a double. Senior Taylor Pattillo followed the RBI with a two-out walk — setting up an Eryn Caragein single that scored another run, and advanced Pattillo to third. After a Millersville pitching change, senior Briana Giovenco came to the plate with the game on her bat. She could not complete the comeback for the Raiders, though, as she grounded out to first base.

Shippensburg out-hit Millersville in the game 10-7, but could not cash in on its base runners, as they stranded nine of them.

Sophomore Chloe Collins had three hits scattered through the two games versus Millersville, and also grounded out to score Pattillo in the seventh inning of game two. Freshman Emily Gigliotti went 2-for-2 with a double, walk and a run scored in her game-two start.

Shippensburg got complete games out of both Freshman Taryn Wilson, and Collins.

Game three of the week came Saturday in East Stroudsburg versus the East Stroudsburg University Warriors. The Raiders bats were active in this one, as the team combined for nine runs on 12 hits in a 9-7 win.

The Raiders led at multiple points in the first game, but it was East Stroudsburg who held a 7-6 lead through five innings. Shippensburg was able to knot the game up at seven in the sixth courtesy of an RBI-single by Sophomore Anna Warfield. Pattillo and Collins finished off the game for Shippensburg by batting in two more runs in the seventh.

The final game of the week concluded Shippensburg’s sweep of East Stroudsburg. The Raiders stayed hot offensively in this one — combining for 10 runs on 15 hits in a 10-6 win.

Shippensburg trailed by two through two innings played, but put together a four-run, two-out rally in a third inning that saw six runs scored. Shippensburg added four more throughout the remainder of the game, but never relinquished its lead — holding on to win 10-6.

Shippensburg’s offensive output was one of its best on the season so far. Every Raider starter had at least one hit in Saturday’s series, while seven different players had at least one RBI.

Pattillo now has six home runs on the season after hitting one in each of Saturday’s games. She was also 4-for-7 on the day and contributed a monster six RBIs, four runs and a stolen base.

Warfield also produced big offensively, going 6-for-8 with four RBIs and one run scored. Bicko followed her with six hits, and Caragein with three. Bicko and Caragein combined for three RBIs.

Freshman Nicole Smith won both games for the Raiders. Smith pitched 2 2/3 shutout-innings in relief in the first game, and all but went the distance in game two — allowing three earned runs on nine hits in six innings pitched.

Shippensburg takes on Shepherd University in their home opener this Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader at Robb Field. The twinbill is the first of three in a gauntlet week for the Raiders, who host Kutztown on Friday, and West Chester on Saturday. 

Share