SHEPHERD SOFTBALL SPLITS PAIR AT CATAWBA

SALISBURY, NC -- Shepherd University split a pair of games in season opening softball action at the Catawba Invitational Tournament on Saturday. Shepherd dropped a 3-0 game to Pfeiffer and came back to hand Mars Hill a 2-0 setback.

Junior pitcher Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS) fanned five and scattered four hits to help the Rams even their record at 1-1. Kate Blankenship took the loss for Mars Hill

The Rams did all their scoring in the third inning.

Freshman catcher Amanda Orkoskey (Wheeling, WV/Wheeling Central HS) led off with a single and moved to third on a two-base error on a pick-off attempt. Sophomore utility player April Pryzgocki (Frederick, MD/Frederick MD) followed with a single to score Orkoskey. Zappacosta aided her cause with an RBI-single to plate Pryzgocki.

Senior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/Herndon HS), Pryzgocki, and Zappacosta each singled to lead the Rams against Pfeiffer.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning. Crystal Poe led off with a single, Erin Furness followed with a double, and Jody McCurdy belted a home run to center field.

Pfeiffer starter Amanda Beck gained the win, while senior Karen Burnette (Yorktown, VA/Tabb HS) suffered the loss for the Rams.

Shepherd will face Barton College in a late contest this evening and play two more games on Sunday.

Shepherd 000 000 0 0 3 1

Pfeiffer 000 003 X 3 5 1

Beck and Furness; Burnette and Orkoskey.

WP: Beck

LP: Burnette (0-1)

Mars Hill 000 000 0 0 4 0

Shepherd 002 000 X 2 8 0

Zappacosta and Orkoskey; Blankenship and Osbourn.

WP: Zappacosta (1-0)

LP: Blankenship