SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Senior Hope Cornell hit a pair of home runs on Tuesday, including a walk-off, two-out, two-run shot in the opener, while freshman Emily Estep hit a three-run home run and threw a complete game three-hitter in the nightcap as the Shippensburg University softball team opened PSAC Eastern Division play with a doubleheader sweep of West Chester, 8-7 and 7-1.

Shippensburg (16-8, 2-0 PSAC East) fell behind in the opener by deficits of 4-0 and 6-2 but never relented. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cornell smacked the first pitch she saw over the left-center field fence for a grand slam that knotted the score at 6-6. The opportunity came about after a single by senior Jill Mullan, a walk by senior Dana Ward and by senior Moira Johnsen reaching on an error.

West Chester (11-11, 0-2 PSAC East) used a two-out rally in the seventh inning to take a 7-6 lead. A walk and a single chased junior starter Chelsea Kendall before a fielding error plated the go-ahead run from second base. Kendall struck out five batters in her start and allowed just five hits after the first inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Ward reached on a one-out fielding error and Johnsen hustled down the line to avoid grounding into a potential game-ending double play. With two outs, and once again on the first pitch, Cornell sent a rocket over the fence to give Shippensburg the walk-off victory.

Freshman Marygrace Serra also came through with a clutch performance in the first game. In addition to solid defense, Serra doubled in her first at-bat and delivered a valuable two-run single in the fourth that got the Raiders on the scoreboard.

Estep keyed SU's momentum in the second game during a raucous third inning. With SU holding a 1-0 lead, Estep launched a three-run homer over the left-field fence after Cornell singled and senior Courtney Steele walked to start the frame.

Sophomore Jenna Allen broke the game open in the fifth inning with a huge two-out hit – doubling home Serra and freshman pinch runner Hilary Lyons. Mullan, who reached base four times in the doubleheader, came up next and ripped an RBI-single that gave SU its 7-1 lead.

From the circle, Estep navigated through a tight strike zone by balancing three walks with eight strikeouts. She improved her overall record to 7-2.

Overall, Cornell finished the doubleheader 4-for-7 at the plate with two home runs, six RBIs and four runs scored. Ward reached base three times from the No. 2 spot in the lineup and scored twice. Steele had two hits and a walk; Johnsen scored two runs and all three of SU's pinch runners came across the plate.

SU has won seven of its last 10 games over West Chester and sits atop the PSAC Eastern Division along with No. 11 Kutztown. The Golden Bears swept Millersville on Tuesday, 8-2 and 4-0.

On Friday, Shippensburg will travel to Kutztown for a divisional doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.