BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University softball team rallied from two deficits on Saturday afternoon against PSAC rival Lock Haven but was ultimately eliminated from the 2011 NCAA Atlantic Regional tournament after a 5-4 loss to the Bald Eagles from Jan Hutchinson Field.

Shippensburg (28-15) had valiant efforts against two of the region's perennial powerhouses but ended up losing by one run in both of its games this weekend. SU returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time in two years and was competing in regionals for the nine times in 11 years under head coach Bob Brookens.

Lock Haven (26-13) took a 2-0 lead in the second after an RBI-single and an error. The Raiders tied the score in the third on a two-run single by freshman Emily Estep and gained the lead in the fourth after an RBI-single to center field by senior Hope Cornell.

In the fifth, the Bald Eagles scored twice to re-gain the lead – once on a fielder's choice and another on an RBI-single. Both runs in the inning were unearned – SU committed two errors in the inning to expedite the Bald Eagles around the bases.

SU manufactured a run in the sixth to tie the score at 4-4. Senior Dana Ward drew a one-out walk; stole second base, and moved to third on a wild pitch after senior Moira Johnsen had drawn a walk. With Cornell at the plate, Ward came home on another wild pitch. Johnsen was ultimately stranded at third base.

Lock Haven got a one-out single in the top of the seventh. After a wild pitch, Brittany Pataky laced a double into right-center field that put the Bald Eagles on top. SU was retired 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh.

Junior Chelsea Kendall got the start but finished with a no-decision – allowing four runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings with four strikeouts. Estep pitched the final 2.2 innings and recorded three strikeouts. The only run she allowed was the decisive tally in the top of the seventh.

Senior Capsules:

Shippensburg's five seniors: Hope Cornell, Moira Johnsen, Jill Mullan, Courtney Steele and Dana Ward have won 98 games in four years and have combined for 772 hits, 70 home runs, 335 RBIs and 385 runs scored.

Cornell finishes her career as Shippensburg's all-time leader with 35 home runs and ranks third in school history with 132 RBIs. She is a four-time All-PSAC performer who has compiled a .361 batting average and 68 career extra-base hits. As a senior, Cornell hit .419 - ranking third in the PSAC - to go along with a career-high 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. Her clutch hitting was sensational, evidenced by the fact that she posted career-bests with a .483 on-base percentage and a .713 slugging percentage.    (view career stats [.pdf])

Johnsen hit .285 as a senior - 44 points higher than any other season in her career. She posted career highs this season in every major offensive category: runs (19), hits (39), doubles (5), homers (3), RBIs (32), walks (7), on-base percentage (.315), slugging percentage (.387), sacrifices (8) and stolen bases (3). (view career stats [.pdf])

Mullan concludes her career as Shippensburg's record holder for career stolen bases with 52. She also ranks sixth in school history with 14 career triples. As a senior, Mullan hit .357 - 63 points higher than any other season in her career - while achieving career-highs with 30 runs, 51 hits and a .410 on-base percentage. (view career stats [.pdf]) 

Steele ranks second in school history with 28 career home runs and has been one of the best sluggers in school history. She hit a career-high 10 doubles this season to complement a .373 batting average, seven homers and 35 RBIs. Overall, Steele compiled a .358 career batting average with 113 RBIs, 28 doubles, 59 runs and a .588 slugging percentage. (view career stats [.pdf])

Ward has been a pitcher and an outfielder for Shippensburg - thriving at the plate since getting the opportunity during her sophomore season. She ranks fifth in school history with 40 stolen bases and set the single-season school record as a junior with 19. Ward is a .349 career hitter who has scored 78 runs. She threw 284 innings as a pitcher, recording 17 victories and striking out 227 hitters. (view career stats [.pdf])