SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Sophomore Eryn Caragein hit a walk-off home run to win the first game as the Shippensburg University softball team split a doubleheader with nonconference foe Shepherd Wednesday at a blustery Robb Field.
 
Shippensburg (12-17) won Game 1, 5-4, in eight innings before the Rams responded with a 7-2 victory in the nightcap.
 
With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 1, Caragein smoked a line drive down the left field line that cut through the wind and barely cleared the fence, setting off a big SU celebration. Caragein's homer capped off a back-and-forth contest between the Rams and Raiders.
 
After three scoreless innings, SU scored two runs in the fourth inning on an RBI single by freshman Maddie Schafer and a Shepherd error that allowed senior Taylor Pattillo to score.
 
However, the Rams responded with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, leaving Shippensburg having to rally with three at-bats remaining. After a quiet fifth inning, SU loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning. Senior Briana Giovenco hit a ground ball back to the mound, and the throw to the plate by Shepherd pitcher Tara Hanson was high enough to draw the catcher off the plate, allowing SU's Pattillo to score.
 
Sophomore Anna Warfield followed later in the inning with a go-ahead RBI fielder's choice. Shepherd was able to tie the game on an SU error in the top of the seventh, setting up Caragein's heroics an inning later.
 
Freshman Nicole Smith earned her third victory of the season by allowing four unearned runs on four hits while striking out four in eight innings of work.
 
In Game 2, Shepherd scored a pair of runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to create separation. SU starting pitcher, sophomore Chloe Collins, had both of SU's RBIs with a bases-loaded walk in the third inning and an RBI single in the seventh inning.
 
In the circle, Collins pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs while striking out four.
 
Pattillo led SU with four hits on the day. Collins and sophomore Tara Bicko each had three hits and a run scored in the two games.
 
The Raiders return to action Friday when they host West Chester for a PSAC East doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.