SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University softball team used a pair of big innings to achieve a doubleheader sweep of Mercyhurst on Saturday, defeating the Lakers by scores of 5-2 and 6-3 in non-conference action at Robb Field.
 
Shippensburg (19-13) scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning in Game 1 on a two-run homer by Hannah Marsteller (her league-leading 17th of the season) and a solo shot by Courtney Coy, and plated four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning in Game 2. Both innings resulted in leads that would not be relinquished.
 
Freshman Emma Flattery did not allow a hit through the first four innings of Game 1. Flattery got the win and allowed two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings, striking out eight without a walk. Fellow freshman Maelynn Leber got the final four outs of Game 1 for a save and got the final seven outs of Game 2 for a relief win. Leber allowed two hits and walked one in 3.2 shutout innings, striking out five.
 
The decisive four-run fifth inning in the nightcap flipped a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 lead. It featured RBI-singles by Coy and Taylor Radziewicz and a two-run double into the left-center field gap by freshman catcher Toni Jones.
 
Overall in the doubleheader, Coy had three hits and scored three runs, raising her season batting average to .276. Marsteller was 2-for-4 with three more walks and three runs scored. She also hit an RBI-single in the third inning of the nightcap.
 
Morgan DeFeo reached base four times – singling three times and being hit by a pitch. Freshman Taylor Myers returned to the lineup and had three hits, including a double, and a stolen base. Jones doubled twice on the day.
 
Mercyhurst (11-11) got home runs from Chloe McQuestion and Allison Dejidas.
 
Shippensburg will travel to Mansfield on Friday for a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader at Helen Lutes Field.