SHEPHERD SPLITS WITH SALEM INTERNATIONAL

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va. -- Shepherd University split a doubleheader with Salem International in WVIAC softball action at Shepherd on Sunday. The Rams rallied for a 4-3 triumph in game one, while Salem International gained the split with a 2-1 win in the nightcap.

Sophomore third baseman Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS) and junior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/Herndon HS) each went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI to pace the Rams in game one. Freshman Stephanie Sims (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg HS) and sophomore catcher Julie Scherpf (Berkeley Springs, WV/Berkeley Springs HS) also added RBIs.

Trailing 2-1 in the sixth inning, Shepherd plated three runs to take a 4-2 advantage. Zappacosta led off with a double and scored on a double by Small. Small advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Scherpf. Sophomore outfielder Alyssa Rowe (Enhaut, PA/Central Dauphin East HS) walked and later scored on a single by Sims.

Kasey Sharp hit a solo homer in seventh for Salem for the game's final tally. Sharp went 2-for-3 to lead the Tigers.

Junior pitcher Karen Burnette (Yorktown, VA/Tabb HS) improved to 5-2 on the year, while Kasey Sharp fanned eight in a losing cause for Salem International.

Pinch-runner Erin Anderson, running for Sharp who led off the frame with a single, moved to second on a ground out, moved to third on a single by Ashlee Hammersly, and scored the game-winner in the fifth on an infield error in the nightcap. Hammersly led Salem with a 2-for-3 outing.

Freshman shortstop Charla Wacker (Sterling, VA/Broad Run HS) went 2-for-3 to pace the Rams.

Kasey Sharp earned the win for the Tigers in relief, while Ram pitcher Shannon Leighty (Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove HS) took the loss.

Shepherd moves to 18-8, 12-1 in WVIAC play, while Salem International is now 6-20, 4-6. The Rams return to action on Thursday when they host Alderson-Broaddus for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.

Game One

Salem International 100 001 1 3 6 1

Shepherd 000 103 X 4 8 0

Burnette and Scherpf; Sharp and Reeves.

HR: SIU- Sharp (7th, solo)

WP: Burnette (5-2)

LP: Sharp

Game Two

Salem International 001 010 0 2 6 1

Shepherd 100 000 0 1 6 1

Leighty and Scherpf; Eizensmits, Sharp (4) and Reeves.

HR: none

WP: Sharp

LP: Leighty (4-1)