SHEPHERD SOFTBALL SWEEPS BRIDGEWATER IN HOME OPENER

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University erased a 10-run deficit and plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to gain a 16-15 win over Bridgewater College in game one in softball action at Shepherd on Friday. The Rams earned the sweep with a 1-0 win in the nightcap.

Trailing 13-3 in the fourth in game one, Shepherd scored five runs on five hits to cut the Eagle lead to 13-8. A two-run double by sophomore outfielder Jamie Griffin (Martinsburg, WV/Martinsburg HS) highlighted the rally.

The Rams added three runs in the fifth on a two-run double by junior third baseman Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS) and an RBI-single from sophomore Stephanie Sims (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg HS) to cut the lead to 13-11.

Both teams added a pair of runs in the sixth to set the stage for the three-run rally in the seventh.

Pinch-runner Laurel Caywood (Poolesville, MD/Poolesville HS) scored from third on a passed ball for the first run. Zappacosta smacked a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to plate freshman Rae Johnson (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge HS) to tie the game at 15-15. After a walk by Stephanie Sims, sophomore April Przygocki (Frederick, MD/Frederick HS) walked with the bases loaded to score senior outfielder Jenn Canby (Martinsburg, WV/Martinsburg HS) with the game-winner.

Zappacosta, Sims and junior outfielder Julie Scherpf (Berkeley Springs, WV/Berkeleys Springs HS) had three hits each to lead the Rams. Zappacosta drove in four runs, while Sims and Scherpf drove in three apiece.

Lindsay Ware and Eliazbeth Smith had three hits each to pace the Eagles. Stephanie Steppe added two hits and a team-high four RBIs.

Freshman Rebekah Walsh (Wyommissing, PA/Holy Name HS) picked up the win in relief, while Bridgewater reliever Marlo Powell took the loss.

Senior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/Herndon HS) singled home Jamie Griffin for the game's only tally to lift the Rams to a win in the nightcap.

Walsh gained the win to improve to 2-0 for the Rams, while Powell suffered the loss for Bridgewater (12-2).

Shepherd (6-9) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Wheeling Jesuit for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score