The Shippensburg University softball team split its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division doubleheader at Shepherd Wednesday afternoon. The host Rams took Game 1, 1-0, while the visiting Raiders took the nightcap, 2-1, at Sara Cree Field.
 
Shippensburg (20-14, 9-9 PSAC East) and Shepherd (16-14, 12-6) saw runs tough to come by thanks to outstanding pitching efforts on both sides. Shepherd Game 1 starter Madelayne Ruffner headlined the afternoon in the circle, totaling 14 strikeouts.
 
Junior Caitlyn Martell (Morrisville, Pa./Pennsbury) led the Raiders in hits, going four-for-eight at the plate through the doubleheader. Martell also scored a run in Game 2.
 
Sophomore Brie Wilmot (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) had one hit on the day but made the most of it, smashing a two-run home run that sealed the nightcap for the Raiders.
 
Freshman Dani Hayward (Hamburg, Pa./Berks Catholic) pulled double duty in Game 2 for Shippensburg, starting in the circle and batting in the lineup. Hayward pitched a complete game and added on two hits.
 
The Raiders return home to Robb Field to take on No. 9 East Stroudsburg in a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., weather permitting.
 
GAME ONE: SHEPHERD 1, SHIP 0
 
Game 1 proved familiar to the opener the last time the two teams met, as solid lights out pitching resulted in just five hits combined between the squads.
 
The only run of the opener came in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Rams started out the frame with a hit by pitch, followed by a double play grounder. Facing two outs, a double into left center by Haylee Hartman got one Shepherd baserunner on base. Camdyn Noland then hit a single down the right field line that gave Hartman enough time to race home for the go-ahead and game-winning score, 1-0.
 
SU's best chance to score against Ruffner came in the top of the fifth. Back-to-back one out walks to Hayward and Gianna Cimino (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) put a pair of runners on base, and both advanced further on a wild pitch.
 
With still only one out, Ruffner fanned the next two batters to leave the runners stranded.
 
Senior Alicia Ball (Woodstock, Va./Woodstock) threw a six-inning complete game for the Raiders, striking out five batters while scattering five walks and three hits.
 
Ruffner provided another solid outing, giving up just three walks and two hits in addition to her 14 strikeouts. She improved to 12-0 on the year with the victory.
 
GAME TWO: SHIP 2, SHEPHERD 1
 
Game 2 provided similar stellar pitching in the circle as the opener, with the teams getting five hits combined but stranding eight runners on base.
 
The fifth inning once again provided the game's first runs, which also ended up proving to be the game-winning scores. The top half of the inning opened with a Martell single into left field, followed by a fly out. Wilmot smacked the fourth pitch of her at bat out and past the left field fence for a two run home run, her fifth of the season, giving the Raiders a 2-0 lead.
 
Shepherd responded in the bottom of the sixth, using two hits – a single from Madelyn Chambers and a double from Lexi Clatterbuck – to cut the lead to 2-1, but couldn't scratch across the tying run.
 
Hayward pitched the complete game in the circle, throwing 94 pitches in seven innings and striking out seven batters. Hayward scattered just one walk and three hits, improving her season record to 6-4.

SOFT: Brie Wilmot homers to put the Raiders on the board in game 2🚀

SHIP 2, RAMS 0 pic.twitter.com/gmrEZFx3js

— Shippensburg University Raiders (@ShipURaiders) April 9, 2025