SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University baseball team put forth a late rally in Game 1 and withstood a late rally in Game 2 to come away with a doubleheader sweep of Le Moyne on Saturday, posting a pair of 6-5 victories in the Raiders' home-opening series from Fairchild Field.
 
Shippensburg (5-7) trailed 5-2 to Le Moyne (7-4) entering the bottom of the ninth inning in Saturday's twinbill, but scored three times to tie the score. Sophomore Grant Hoover launched a two-out, two-run home run to send the game into extras. In the 11th, freshman Cash Gladfelter singled home freshman pinch runner Zack Zoller to give the Raiders a walk-off win.
 
SU led 6-2 entering the top of the seventh inning of Game 2 (the teams played a nine-inning game, followed by a seven-inning game). The Dolphins plated three unearned runs against junior Josh Kutchey but SU's closer stranded the tying run in scoring position.
 
Senior shortstop Mike Marcinko was 5-for-7 on the day with a home run, a double, two RBIs, two walks and two stolen bases. Through 12 games on the young season, Marcinko is batting .405 and has a .510 on-base percentage.
 
SU freshmen Gladfelter and Jack Goertzen each had a strong day at the plate. Gladfelter finished with three hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Goertzen was 3-for-6 with two walks and two runs – his leadoff walk in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 1 is what led to Zoller entering as a pinch runner and ultimately scoring the winning run.
 
Hoover, meanwhile, finished 3-for-9 with his home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. Sophomore Dalton Hoiles had two singles and two RBIs, while senior Austin Allison had two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base.
 
Junior Mark Curtis threw great in Game 1 but earned a no decision. He held the visitors scoreless through the first five innings before allowing two unearned runs in the sixth inning. His final included just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
 
Redshirt-freshman Tyler Butcher worked the final three innings of the opener in achieving his first collegiate victory. Butcher allowed a lone hit in three innings with two strikeouts.
 
Senior Marcus Shippey got the win in Game 2, allowing two runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings. Shippey walked two and struck out three. Senior Seth LeFever got the final two outs of the sixth, striking out one.
 
Le Moyne entered Saturday having given up 12 runs in a doubleheader with No. 3 Mercyhurst earlier this season but allowing just seven combined runs in their seven other games this season. SU struck for 12 runs despite striking out 20 times on the day. The Dolphins have struck out 107 batters in 80 innings this season.
 
SU and Le Moyne have played around this time in March in now four consecutive seasons. The Raiders hold a 10-2 record in the series.
 
Sunday's third and final game of the series will begin at 1 p.m. from Fairchild Field.