RALEIGH, N.C. – The Shippensburg University softball team opened the 2011 season on Saturday afternoon from the Walnut Creek Sports Complex with a pair of convincing victories in a doubleheader sweep of Shaw, winning by scores of 20-3 and 18-3.

Shippensburg (2-0) was able to use its entire roster over the course of the day and got contributions from a whole assortment of players. Senior Moira Johnsen ended up as the team's leading hitter for the afternoon, going 5-for-6 with a double and four RBIs.

Senior Dana Ward scored five runs, stole a base and had a double among her two hits. Fellow senior Jill Mullan was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, four runs and stolen bases. Other players scoring four runs included senior Hope Cornell, junior Meg Lehman and sophomore Kiersten Darhower.

From the circle, junior Chelsea Kendall and freshman Emily Estep earned victories in their starts. Junior Emily Parkins tallied three strikeouts in the final two innings of the opener while Ward capped off the second game with two shutout innings.

Shippensburg stays on the road Sunday and will face Chowan for a doubleheader that begins at noon.