Box Score

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Shippensburg University women's softball team battled tooth and nail for 17 innings with the Atlantic Region's No. 4 seed, California (Pa.), but the Lady Raiders ultimately dropped a 3-2 decision to the Vulcans that places SU in the loser's bracket.

As a result of No. 3 Lock Haven's 8-0 victory in five innings, Shippensburg will face CIAA champion Bowie State at 12:30 p.m from Lawrence Field. The contest will be an elimination game as both teams have lost one game thus far in the tournament.

Shippensburg (25-18) trailed 2-0 until the sixth inning, when a rally by the Lady Raiders tied the score. After a single by senior Rachelle Wedell and an error that moved her to second base, sophomore pinch runner Maggie Sander entered the game and eventually scored after an RBI-fielder's choice by sophomore Courtney Steele.

After a walk from the ever-disciplined junior Lisamarie Ramagli moved Steele to second base, an RBI-single by senior Lori Knopf tied the score but the inning ended after Ramagli was thrown out as she tried to advance to third base.

Knopf started the game in the circle and threw four innings, allowing two runs on 10 hits while striking out four batters. Sophomore Dana Ward dazzled in relief, throwing a career-high 12.2 innings while allowing just one run on seven hits to go along with 10 strikeouts.

The winning run for the Vulcans came with two outs in the bottom of the 17th inning on a ball that just narrowly squeaked past sophomore shortstop Marissa Nagle and allowed a runner to score from second base.

Shippensburg totaled six hits in the game, with sophomore Hope Cornell finishing as the only Lady Raider with multiple hits (2-for-7). Ramagli did not have a hit, but drew four walks in seven at-bats. California totaled 17 hits in the game but left 18 runners on base.

The Vulcans and Lock Haven will play at 10 a.m. in Game 3 of the tournament before the Lady Raiders will take on Bowie State.