CLERMONT, Fla. – The Shippensburg University softball team split two games Wednesday at the National Training Center, shutting out Southern Connecticut State, 1-0, before falling to No. 22 Southern Indiana, 7-2.
 
Senior Liz Parkins threw a two-hit shutout against the Owls, tying her career high with nine strikeouts (a mark originally set as a freshman against West Chester on Apr. 3, 2012). Junior Briana Giovenco hit two doubles in Game 2 against the Screaming Eagles, accounting for SU's only hits in the back end of the twinbill.
 
Head coach Bob Brookens has tied Bobby Davis for the all-time coaching wins mark in Shippensburg University history. Brookens, in his 15th season as the Raider head coach, has compiled a 449-253 career record.

Southern Connecticut State (0-1), playing its first game of the season, was kept off balance by Parkins' ability to change speeds. Parkins allowed a one-out single in the first inning before retiring 11-in-a-row. She threw just six first-pitch balls all day long, yielding two singles without a walk in an 89-pitch complete game. Seventy-two of her 89 pitches were strikes.
 
The first game's lone run came in the third inning. Sophomore Jenny Peel worked a seven-pitch walk to start the inning and was replaced on the bases by freshman Taylor Dorman. One pitch later, Dorman scooted over to second on a steal. After a groundout, freshman Chloe Collins sent a 3-2 pitch down the left-field line for a double that scored Dorman.
 
Southern Indiana (13-1) got a complete-game effort in the circle from Sarah Owens, who yielded two unearned runs and struck out two. SU had junior Quincy Lewis and senior Makenzie Lynn each pitch three innings.
 
Shippensburg concludes its Florida trip on Thursday with a 9 a.m. game against Wayne State (Neb.) and an 11 a.m. game with Ferris State.
 
This weekend's games in Salem, Virginia have been cancelled.