SHEPHERD SOFTBALL SWEEPS COLUMBIA UNION

TAKOMA PARK, Md. -- Shepherd University swept Columbia Union in softball action at Columbia Union on Tuesday. The Rams used an 11-hit attack in the opener to gain an 8-3 win and smacked a season-high 17 in an 18-0 victory in the nightcap.

Freshman outfielder Rae Johnson (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge HS), senior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/ Herndon HS), and freshman catcher Amanda Orkoskey (Wheeling, WV/Wheeling Central Catholic HS) had two hits apiece to pace the Rams. Junior third baseman Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS) added a solo homer in the fifth inning.

Sarah Gaffney and Bethany Sloat had two hits each to pace the Pioneers.

Senior pitcher Karen Burnette (Yorktown, VA/ Tabb HS) fanned five and improved to 5-4 with the win, while Janelle Mrakovich took the loss for the Pioneers.

Johnson, senior second baseman Megan Zahnow (Berkeley Springs, WV/Berkeley Springs HS), and freshman Rebekah Walsh (Wyomissing, PA/Holy Name HS) led the Rams with three hits each in the nightcap.

Sophomore April Przygocki (Frederick, MD/Frederick HS), freshman Laurel Caywood (Poolesville, MD/ Poolesville HS) and Zappacosta each added a pair of hits, while junior Meghan Sparrow (Potomac Falls, VA/Potomac Falls HS) added her first career hit.

Walsh tossed a two-hitter to improve to 3-1 on the year, while Sarah Gaffney suffered the loss.

Shepherd improves to 12-16 on the year. The Rams return to action on Friday when they travel to University of Charleston for a noon doubleheader.

Shepherd 210 020 3 8 11 2

Columbia Union 200 000 1 3 7 4

Burnette and Orkoskey; Mrakovich and Herdrickson.

HR: SU - Zappacosta (5th, solo)

WP: Burnette (5-4)

LP: Mrakovich

Shepherd 716 13 18 17 0

Columbia Union 000 00 0 2 2

Walsh and Caywood; Gaffney and Herdrickson.

HR: None

WP: Walsh (3-1)

LP: Gaffney