Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University softball team suffered a five-inning loss in the opening game of its Sunday doubleheader with No. 24 Bloomsburg but flipped the script in Game 2, recording a 12-3 victory to salvage a split with the vaunted Huskies.

Shippensburg (9-17) handed Bloomsburg its worst loss in more than five years by scoring seven runs in the first two innings and finishing the game with a season-high 17 hits. SU also got some steady pitching from sophomore Emily Estep, who overcame two BU home runs by allowing just three earned runs in a complete-game effort while striking out nine.

While the two teams have not played each other as frequently as in years past, Sunday's victory does mark Shippensburg's first win over the Huskies since Apr. 18, 2007.

Bloomsburg (19-7), who defeated SU in the NCAA tournament last season, allowed its most runs in a game since getting defeated 16-0 by Columbus State on Mar. 11, 2007.  Bloomsburg junior ace Cait Paine was touched up for six runs (five earned) in 1.1 innings – the most earned runs she has allowed since her freshman season – in addition to seven hits.

Sophomore outfielder Hilary Lyons batted in the No. 8 spot in Game 1 and the leadoff spot in Game 2 – she totaled four hits in seven at-bats and scored three runs.

Senior catcher Meg Lehman had three hits and three RBIs in Game 2, while freshmen Maddie Justice and Tyler Thompson also finished the doubleheader with three hits between the two games.

Lehman is now tied for the team lead with 16 RBIs this season – more than she had amassed in her career entering the season (15). Justice also has 16 RBIs in addition to six extra-base hits and just five strikeouts in 79 at-bats.

Shippensburg will have its home opener on Tuesday afternoon with a doubleheader versus West Chester from Robb Field. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.

Game 1: Bloomsburg 8, Shippensburg 0 (5 innings)

Shippensburg mustered five hits in the opener off Paine, who improved her record to 11-3 with the victory.

Bloomsburg scored four runs in each of the first two innings to take control of the contest. The Huskies cranked out seven hits in four innings, including four that went for extra bases.

Freshman Liz Parkins entered the game in the second inning and did not allow a hit in relief, retiring all eight batters she faces. Parkins recorded two strikeouts.

Game 2: Shippensburg 12, Bloomsburg 3

All nine Raider starters collected at least one hit in Game 2 – with six of the nine starters collecting multiple hits – as SU snapped a four-game losing streak with an impressive performance.

SU scored three runs with two outs in the first inning. With Lyons on first after a leadoff single, Justice doubled her home after smacking a ball into left field. Sophomore Rachel Shumway, who went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs in the contest, singled home Justice and advanced to second on the throw. Freshman Jessie Trammell plated Shumway in the next at-bat after depositing a single into right-center field.

Junior Jenna Allen singled to kick start the four-run second inning and was advanced to second base after a sacrifice bunt by junior Kiersten Darhower. Lyons singled and advanced to second base after the outfielder attempted to gun down Allen at third base but was unsuccessful.

Lehman singled in both runners in the next at-bat and moved up second base after a fielding error by the left fielder. SU at this point had a 5-0 lead and had ended Paine's afternoon. Freshman Taylor Weisman doubled home Lehman to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead.

Some uncharacteristic fielding blemishes by the Huskies later in the inning eventually led to Weisman scoring and the Raiders holding a 7-0 lead through just an inning and a half.

SU boasted an 8-3 advantage before adding four more runs in its final at-bat. Darhower and Lyons both singled with one out before Lehman doubled into the right-center field gap, plating one run and putting two runners in scoring position. Weisman doubled home Lyons and Lehman before coming home in the next at-bat after a Justice RBI-single.