KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Shippensburg University softball team continued its best season start since 2005 with an impressive doubleheader sweep in its first day of competition at the 2011 Rebel Spring Games.

SU defeated Wilmington (Del.) in six innings, 8-0, before closing the day with an impressive 4-2 win over Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals are currently receiving votes the national coaches poll.

Shippensburg (9-2) received outstanding pitching performances from junior Chelsea Kendall and freshman Emily Estep along with great hitting at the top of the order from senior Jill Mullan – who had two hits and a stolen base in each victory on Saturday.

SU got the momentum going in the nightcap against SVSU with runs in each of the first three innings. In the first, Mullan hit an infield single and senior Dana Ward walked to put two runners on base. With one out, senior Hope Cornell blooped a single over the shortstop that plated Mullan from second base.

One inning later, Mullan ripped a two-out single to left field that scored freshman pinch runner Hilary Lyons – who had entered the game following a leadoff single by Estep.

SU loaded the bases in the third with singles by Cornell, senior Courtney Steele and junior Emily Parkins. With one out, freshman pinch runner Rachel Shumway scored on an error.

The Cardinals brought pitcher Jade Fulton into the game to stop the Raider rally. Last season, Fulton threw a perfect game against the Raiders in a 2-0 win. She added four innings to her streak of perfection against Shippensburg before Cornell slugged a home run deep over the left-field fence in the top of the seventh.

Estep was effective from the circle; throwing a complete game while scattering eight hits and allowing two earned runs. She walked just one batter. At the plate, Cornell was 3-for-4 overall with her home run and a pair of RBIs.

Against the Wildcats, the scoring started in the fourth with a leadoff single by senior Moira Johnsen. Lyons pinch ran; moved to second base on a sacrifice by Cornell, and then snuck into third base after Steele blooped a single into left-center field.

Freshman Abby Payne replaced Steele on the bases and Estep promptly plated the first run with an RBI-single to center field. Payne went to third base on an error by the catcher and then scored on a wild pitch.

In the fifth inning, SU got three more runs: Johnsen delivered an RBI-single; Cornell plated a run on a groundout, and Steele delivered an RBI-double. Steele finished the opener 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

The Raiders ended the opening game in the sixth inning with three more runs. Mullan brought home sophomore Jenn Deardorff on a fielder's choice; Ward singled to bring home junior Meg Lehman, and Steele ended the game with a bases-loaded single.

Kendall achieved her first career shutout by matching her career high with eight strikeouts. She scattered four hits and gave up one walk while allowing just one Wildcat runner to reach third base.

On Sunday, Shippensburg will face Bellarmine at 9 a.m. before battling Northwood (Mich.) at 11 a.m.