Gallery: (2-21-2025) 2025 Softball at Catawba
The Shippensburg University softball team defeated Catawba in both games of a nonconference doubleheader Monday afternoon in Salisbury, North Carolina; 13-4 and 6-5.
Shippensburg (3-1) earned the two wins against Catawba (0-2) in totally different fashion, smashing three home runs on its way to a 13-4 drubbing in five innings in Game 1, followed by a strong display of pitching and small ball for a 6-5 triumph in Game 2.
The Raiders next head to Robb Field for their home opener, a doubleheader with Slippery Rock Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.
Game 1: Shippensburg 13, Catawba 4
Shippensburg blasted three home runs in the first three innings to take a 7-0 lead in Game 1 and never looked back.
Junior
Lindsey Haser began the power surge with a first inning solo shot – the second home run of her career. Sophomore
Brie Wilmot followed with a two-run shot in the top of the third, and senior
Aryanna Briddell capped the fireworks with a three-run blast later in the frame.
Briddell had a career game for the Raiders, finishing 3-for-4 with four RBIs. The home run was her second in three games and second in her career.
SU totaled nine runs and seven hits during a massive third inning rally. Haser, junior
Caitlyn Martell and junior
Rilee Ehrlacher added RBI singles in the frame to make it an 11-0 score.
Junior
Emilee Sullivan answered a Catawba run in the fourth with an RBI double a half inning later, and Briddell added an RBI single to wrap up the scoring.
Sophomore
Madalyn Dyer provided a strong five innings in the circle. Three of Dyer's four earned runs came with the game well in hand in the bottom of the fifth.
Game 2: Shippensburg 6, Catawba 5
The Raiders plated four of their six runs without a hit to score a comeback victory in Game 2.
Catawba took a 3-1 lead with single runs in the first three frames before Shippensburg pushed across a pair of fourth inning runs to even the score.
An RBI groundout from sophomore
Anna Rahner cut the Raider deficit to one, and senior
Ally Weaver followed with a clutch line drive over the outstretched glove of the Catawba shortstop to drive in the tying run.
Wilmot added an RBI triple during a two-run fifth, the first triple of Wilmot's career.
Catawba's Brianna Gallagher clubbed her second home run of the game – a two-run shot – to tie the game once more in the bottom half of the frame, 5-5.
Martell plated the game-winning run with an RBI fielder's choice in the sixth.
Freshman
Dani Hayward allowed three runs in 2.2 innings in her first collegiate start. Senior
Katelyn Minney was terrific out of the 'pen, limiting the Catawba bats to six hits and two runs over 4.1 innings to earn the win.
Weaver (2-for-4) led the Raiders with two hits. Rahner (0-for-2, 2 BB) scored twice and drove in another run.
