The Shippensburg University softball team needed a stellar weekend to keep pace in the extremely competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division over the weekend.
The Raiders did just that, picking up three PSAC East wins on the weekend. SU swept East Stroudsburg University in a home doubleheader at Robb Field before traveling to Kutztown University, where the Raiders split a doubleheader with the Golden Bears on Saturday.
Against East Stroudsburg, the Raiders used a huge sixth inning to come from behind to win Game 1, 8–2. SU used the momentum from the late inning comeback to knock off the Warriors 6–4 in Game 2.
In Game 1, SU trailed 2–1 entering the bottom half of the sixth inning, before the Raider offense erupted. Pinch-hitter Kayla Bonawitz started the rally with a one-out walk, before Maddie Mulhall singled and Macy Luck doubled to score Bonawitz and tie the game at two.
With two outs, the Raiders added multiple insurance runs, as Tara Bicko singled in a pair of runs to give SU the lead. From there, it was all SU.
Kendall Geis followed Bicko with an RBI double, Chloe Collins singled, Meghan Klee hit an RBI double scoring two runs while Micaela Ghanayem picked up her second RBI of the day on a single, as the Raiders ended the inning, leading 8–2.
“We have the capability to do that a lot and bust some innings open with big runs like that,” said SU head coach Alison Van Scyoc. “I think I told them in our post-game talk that I was happy they didn’t settle for the tie, they kept the rally going and that was big. They say hitting is contagious and it really truly is.”
SU’s Taryn Wilson was fantastic in the circle, completing the complete game to shut the door on Game 1. Wilson threw seven innings in which she gave up two runs — one of which was earned — while striking out nine East Stroudsburg hitters.
In Game 2, it was more of the same for the Raider offense, as SU used a strong first two innings to get the best of the Warriors.
In the first inning, the Raiders got on the board after an RBI double in the first inning by Klee, before Ghanayem drove Klee in with an RBI single to put the Raiders on top, 2–0.
Later, in the second inning the Raiders kept pouring it on, using an RBI double by Collins to give Shippensburg a 3–0 lead. Klee followed with an RBI single that scored Collins and Geis to put SU up 5–0. The Raiders added an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Collins to give SU a 6–0 lead.
In the circle for Game 2 was Nicole Smith, who delivered an outstanding performance. Smith set down East Stroudsburg’s first 14 batters in order, before the Warriors rallied to score two runs in the sixth inning. Smith finished the game, giving up four runs — two of which were earned — while striking out five.
The Raiders used the momentum from Friday to take a game from the PSAC East Division leading Kutztown Golden Bears on Saturday. The Raiders earned their sixth-straight win with a 2–1 decision in Game 1, before falling 4–2 in Game 2.
Wilson was fantastic again, throwing her second complete game of the weekend, limiting the Golden Bears to just one run on three hits with two walks while striking out five batters.
SU scored its runs in the third inning, after Bonawitz, Anna Warfield and Bicko each singled to load the bases in the inning. A Kutztown error in the inning plated two runs, giving SU all it needed to take Game 1.
In Game 2, the Raiders once again struck first by taking a 2–0 lead, but the Raiders were unable to hold the lead to earn a huge PSAC East sweep. The Golden Bears scored four runs on four hits in the second inning to come away with the win.
The Raiders, 22–17, are currently sitting in third place in the PSAC East Division, trailing Kutztown and West Chester universities. The Raiders also are third in total wins in the PSAC.
“The PSAC is tough in general across the board, but I think the East consistently puts together strong softball programs,” Van Scyoc said. “I want our program to be in the No. 1 or 2 spot but I am proud of these girls for the energy and effort they’ve put in from day one.”
The Raiders will return to action Saturday against Millersville University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
ey didn’t settle for the tie, they kept the rally going and that was big. They say hitting is contagious and it really truly is.”
SU’s Taryn Wilson was fantastic in the circle, completing the complete game to shut the door on Game 1. Wilson threw seven innings in which she gave up two runs —one of which was earned — while striking out nine East Stroudsburg hitters.
In Game 2, it was more of the same for the Raider offense, as SU used a strong first two innings to get the best of the Warriors.
In the first inning, the Raiders got on the board after an RBI double in the first inning by Klee, before Ghanayem drove Klee in with an RBI single to put the Raiders on top, 2–0.
Later, in the second inning the Raiders kept pouring it on, using an RBI double by Collins to give Shippensburg a 3–0 lead. Klee followed with an RBI single that scored Collins and Geis to put SU up 5–0. The Raiders added an insurance run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Collins to give SU a 6–0 lead.
In the circle for Game 2 was Nicole Smith, who delivered an outstanding performance. Smith set down East Stroudsburg’s first 14 batters in order, before the Warriors rallied to scored two runs in the sixth inning. Smith finished the game, giving up four runs — two of which were earned — while striking out five.
The Raiders used the momentum from Friday to take a game from the PSAC East Division leading Kutztown Golden Bears on Saturday. The Raiders earned their sixth-straight win with a 2–1 decision in Game 1, before falling 4–2 in Game 2.
Wilson was fantastic again, throwing her second complete game of the weekend, limiting the Golden Bears to just one run on three hits with two walks while striking out five batters.
SU scored its runs in the third inning, after Bonawitz, Anna Warfield and Bicko each singled to load the bases in the inning. A Kutztown error in the inning plated two runs, giving SU all it needed to take Game 1.
In Game 2, the Raiders once again struck first by taking a 2–0 lead, but the Raiders were unable to hold the lead to earn a huge PSAC East sweep. The Golden Bears scored four runs on four hits in the second inning to come away with the win.
The Raiders, 22–17, are currently sitting in third place in the PSAC East Division, trailing Kutztown and West Chester University. The Raiders also are third in total wins in the PSAC.
“The PSAC is tough in general across the board, but I think the East consistently puts together strong softball programs,” Van Scyoc said. “I want our program to be in the No. 1 or 2 spot but I am proud of these girls for the energy and effort they’ve put in from Day 1.”
The Raiders will return to action Saturday against Millersville University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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