The Shippensburg University softball team clinched a playoff berth on Friday afternoon with a 3-0 victory in the first game of its doubleheader at Millersville behind a seven-inning no-hitter from senior Emily Estep and RBI-doubles from junior Maddie Justice and senior Hilary Lyons.
 
Shippensburg (28-12, 14-10 PSAC) dropped the nightcap, 2-1, after Millersville (23-23, 11-15) scored the game-winning run in the home half of the sixth inning.
 
Estep's Game 1 no-hitter was her second this season and fourth of her career while the 11 punch-outs were her second-highest total in a seven-inning game this season (14 vs. Chowan on March 16). Three of her four no-hitters have been seven innings. The only Marauder baserunner of the game was hit by a pitch with two outs in the first inning.
 
In Game 2, a 3-for-3 effort from sophomore Taylor Pattillo included her fourth home run of the season and a double while junior Tyler Thompson added a triple and a walk.
 
Junior Makenzie Lynn did not allow an earned run in her six innings of work in Game 2 as she surrendered just two hits and one walk.
 
Lyons and Justice accounted for all four of SU's hits in the opener, adding singles in addition to their run-scoring doubles. Junior Taylor Weisman, sophomore Briana Giovenco and Thompson each scored one run.
 
Shippensburg will be competing for its playoff seed when it hosts Lock Haven on Saturday and East Stroudsburg on Sunday. Both doubleheaders have 1 p.m. scheduled first pitches from Robb Field.
 
Tomorrow, SU will honor seniors Estep, Lyons, catcher Kirstin McClune and second baseman Rachel Shumway in a ceremony between games.