Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Shippensburg University softball team snapped a nine-game losing streak on Friday afternoon in a PSAC doubleheader contest at Slippery Rock with an impressive 8-2 victory in the opener and ended up with a sweep over The Rock after a 9-7 win in the nightcap.

Shippensburg (9-19) took a 3-0 lead in the opening game after a three-run home run in the opening inning by junior Hope Cornell that plated junior Dana Ward and senior Lisamarie Ramagli. Cornell reached base in each of her plate appearances in the opener, drawing three walks and scoring two runs.

The shining moment of the opener came off the bat of senior Kiley Abersold in the seventh inning. With two outs and Ward on second base, Slippery Rock intentionally walked Cornell and junior Courtney Steele to put Abersold at the plate with the bases now loaded. Abersold responded with a grand slam over the fence that put the Lady Raiders in control.

Ward had three hits in the opener and scored three runs. She thrived from the circle as well, earning her sixth victory of the season while striking out six batters. Abersold also added a double in addition to her grand slam.

SU capitalized on a couple of errors by The Rock in the second inning of Game 2, with sophomore Emily Parkins reaching on an error that allowed one run to score and sophomore Meg Lehman driving home two more with a double. Three more runs scored in the third inning on a sacrifice fly and an error.

Cornell and Ramagli added solo home runs in the fourth inning to give Shippensburg an 8-0 lead, but The Rock countered with five runs in the bottom of the inning off sophomore Chelsea Kendall and Ward to make a game of it. Steele added a solo home run that helped Shippensburg preserve its win.

Abersold had three hits in the second game to cap off a career day, going 5-for-8 at the plate with nine total bases and three runs scored. Cornell hit a home run in each game, going 3-for-5 with three walks, four RBIs and four runs. Steele went 4-for-7 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs.

Slippery Rock (15-10) had won six of its last eight games entering Friday, including three in PSAC Western Division play. SU also defeated The Rock twice last season in the PSAC Tournament at Lock Haven.

The Lady Raiders will stay on the road tomorrow with a doubleheader from Clarion at 1 p.m.