KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Shippensburg University softball team wrapped up its stay at the 2011 Rebel Spring Games on Friday afternoon with an impressive 5-4 victory over the Mavericks of No. 23 Minnesota State Mankato after dropping a 5-0 decision to No. 25 Saginaw Valley State.

Shippensburg (11-6) got a two-run homer in the nightcap from senior Hope Cornell and a vigilant complete-game effort from freshman pitcher Emily Estep, who gave up just six hits while striking out 11 batters.

The Raiders took the early momentum with two runs in the second inning. Senior Courtney Steele singled up the middle and was replaced on the base paths by freshman Hilary Lyons. Lyons stole second and then moved to third on a single by Estep.

Junior Emily Parkins then hit a sharp grounder to second base that ended up as an RBI fielder's choice, as Lyons used her speed and a textbook hook slide to avoid the tag and score the first run of the game.

After a strikeout, freshman Rachel Shumway singled into right field to score Estep and give SU a 2-0 lead.

Minnesota State Mankato (16-3) scored once in the third inning and twice in fourth inning to take a 3-2 lead, but Shippensburg countered with three runs in the fifth.

With one out, senior Dana Ward doubled to put runners on second and third. Senior Moira Johnsen smacked the first pitch she saw into left field for a sacrifice fly that plated freshman pinch runner Abby Payne. Cornell then delivered another clutch two-out hit; ripping a rising line drive that sailed over the fence in right-center field to put Shippensburg up 5-3.

The Mavericks plated another run in the sixth and got two runners in scoring position with just one out, but Estep hunkered down with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning. Estep allowed a leadoff single in the seventh but stranded the runner at second base to win her fourth game of the year.

Saginaw Valley State (9-2) got a shutout from Jade Fulton, who struck out 11 batters but allowed eight hits to Shippensburg. Junior Chelsea Kendall pitched a complete game against the Cardinals, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven hitters.

Shippensburg will compete next weekend at the Salem Invitational in Virginia.