QUAKERTOWN, Pa. -- The Shippensburg University softball team opened the scoring against Mercyhurst on Wednesday in its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships opener, but the Raiders could not hold on in dropping a 5-2 decision to the Lakers at Veterans Park.
 
Shippensburg (30-17) opened the scoring in the second inning with a sacrifice fly from senior Lacey Hunter that brought sophomore Alyssa Nehlen home. Nehlen reached base earlier in the inning from a walk.
 
Mercyhurst (30-12) answered back with five runs in the decisive fifth inning. The first two runs scored on a Raider error and later Allison Dejidas hit a three-run home run with two outs to give the Lakers a lead they would not relinquish.
 
The Raiders looked to find an answer, scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth inning from an RBI-single by senior Hannah Johnson, who sent freshman Katelyn Minney home.
 
Shippensburg had runners on base every inning except the fourth, including getting the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but was unable to capitalize. Six of the Raider starters had at least one hit.
 
Freshman Alicia Ball started in the circle for the Raiders and threw 4.1 innings, allowing two hits, and striking out four Lakers. She did not allow a hit through the first four innings. Sophomore relief pitcher Emma Flattery threw 2.2 innings, allowed two hits and struck out two Lakers.
 
Shippensburg entered Wednesday in need of a victory to maintain its footing in the regional rankings that were released earlier in the day. SU is ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Region, while Mercyhurst is ranked No. 6.
 
The Raiders are set to play at 3 p.m. tomorrow, awaiting the winner of Game 8, between Cal U and Gannon. If the Raiders win that game, they will play again right away at 5:30 p.m. in another elimination game.