Continuing their dream postseason run, Shippensburg University softball swept a best-of-three series over Kutztown this past weekend to advance to the Division II Women’s College World Series. The Raiders defeated the Golden Bears 7-2 on Thursday before a 4-0 victory on Saturday, continuing their deepest NCAA tournament run since 2004.

SU wasted no time on offense in Game 1, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning thanks to RBI knocks from sophomore Sarah Sabocsik and senior Emilee Sullivan. Kutztown quickly answered back, making the score 2-1 after two innings.

The Raiders had a consistent effort the rest of the way on offense, scoring one run in each of the game’s final five innings. This included a pair of solo home runs, the first by freshman Gianna Cimino in the fifth, before senior Katelyn Minney hit one out to make it 6-1.

Kutztown was held hitless into the seventh inning by SU’s pitcher, senior Alicia Ball. They scored a run in the final frame, but Ball recovered to earn her 14th victory of the season. She struck out four while allowing three hits and five walks.

SU racked up nine hits in the victory, with junior Caitlyn Martell, Cimino and Minney each having two hits. They also used some small ball in the win, as the team had four sacrifice hits and one sacrifice fly.

Game 2 was originally scheduled for Friday, but heavy rain left Kutztown’s home field in rough conditions, forcing a postponement after hours of delays. The series resumed at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with SU once again starting strong, as senior Brie Wilmot’s two-run double put the Raiders ahead 2-0.

Ball credited the early run support as being key to her success, saying postgame “It tells us that we’re here to play, we’re here to fight and win, so it takes a whole lot of pressure off of me, as well as the defense.”

Shippensburg added on a pair of runs in the fourth inning, the first coming from another solo home run for Cimino. In five NCAA tournament games, Cimino has gone 9-for-16 with two home runs and five RBIs.

Cimino credited the support around her for her success, saying postgame “I think it’s just having each other, our energy and the dugout, and even the parents and the fans, it’s all been great.”

After Minney’s sacrifice fly made it 4-0, Kutztown threatened to score in each of the final three innings. Their first two hitters reached base in the seventh, but Ball responded with a groundout and a strikeout. The last out of the game came on a grounder to Sullivan, who stepped on third, and the team erupted in celebration.

Ball went the distance to earn her second victory in three days, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out four. The victory meant a lot to her, saying “I’ve been struggling mentally and physically trying to get through this whole season… so being able to have this team have my back and make the plays they’re supposed to really makes a difference.”

It was a balanced effort from the SU offense in the victory, as seven different Raiders had hits. Sullivan and senior Aryanna Briddell each had a pair, with Sabocsik also reaching base twice.

Shippensburg moves to 5-0 in the NCAA tournament, the only undefeated team remaining in the bracket. It is the third trip to the NCAA Division II Women’s College World Series in Shippensburg history, joining bids in 2003 and 2004.

Head coach Alison Van Scyoc discussed the mindset of the team at this point, saying “It’s going to take a lot of focus, a lot of intention, but we’re going to enjoy this moment right now, because it’s been a while since we’ve been in this position. I am beyond proud of this group, but we’re ready to go.”

The Raiders earned the No. 7 seed in the WCWS, consisting of the final eight teams remaining. They will face No. 2 seed Tampa to open a double-elimination bracket at 4 p.m. Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Their second game will come against either Central Oklahoma or Pace.

Share