SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va. - - UVa-Wise softball fell to Shepherd University in a pair of low scoring games Friday afternoon. The Cavaliers dropped game one by a score of 2-1 and were shutout, 3-0, in game two.
Both teams would find themselves in a position to score in the first inning, but neither team would push a run across until the bottom of the sixth frame when Shepherd's Leann Brown knocked an RBI single with the bases loaded, scoring Kaitlyn Konopka.
The Cavs (22-14, 11-9 MEC) would respond in the top of the seventh with a run to knot the game. Kaylee Jones singled to right field and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Bridget Henzel then singled up the middle, placing runners in the corners. Samantha Ely reached on a fielder's choice while Jones was thrown out at home plate. Alexis Miles then reached first base on an error as Henzel crossed home plate. Back-to-back outs would leave two on base for the Cavs heading into the bottom half of the inning.
Shepherd (23-11, 14-6 MEC) would get its winning run in the home half of the seventh when Konopka doubled in Kaitlin Munda to take the lead and give the Rams a 2-1 win in the first game of the day.
Henzel was 1-for-3 with a run while Millard and Jones were both 2-for-3 at the plate.
Taylor Brandts (12-6) suffered the loss as she allowed eight hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings.
Shepherd's Lori Sturgill (10-4) picked up the win, scattering six hits with two strike outs.
The Rams held a 1-0 lead over UVa-Wise in the bottom of the second in game two when Connor Gilligan singled to second base to plate Brown.
Shepherd would push across two more runs in the home half of the fourth frame. Brown would hit a single before Sturgill reached on a fielder's choice. Gilligan then singled and advance to second on the throw, putting Sturgill on third base and scoring Brown. Baker then drove home Sturgill on a ground out to the pitcher.
UVa-Wise would put itself in position to score in the top of the seventh but would leave two stranded as the Rams earned a 3-0 shutout over the Cavs.
Lucindy Lawson and Taylor Creasey both went 1-for-2 for the Cavaliers.
Raychel Lapallo fell to 5-3 on the season as she tossed four innings, allowing five hits and fanning two.
The Rams' Munda (6-4) collected the win as gave up only three hits with six strike outs.
UVa-Wise softball will return to action tomorrow as they visit Fairmont State University. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
