RAMS ADVANCE AT WVIAC TOURNAMENT WITH THREE WINS

VIENNA, W. Va. -- Shepherd University went 3-0 on the day to advance to the championship round of the WVIAC Softball Tournament in Vienna. Shepherd posted victories over Salem International (5-1), Wheeling Jesuit (4-0), and West Virginia State (4-3) to advance to play on Saturday.

Junior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/Herndon HS) went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Rams. Small blasted a two-run homer and freshman Stephanie Sims (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg HS) added a solo round-tripper. Senior outfielder Jenn Canby (Martinsburg, WV/Martinsburg HS) added a 2-for-3 outing with two runs scored.

Ashlee Hammersly went 2-for-3 to lead Salem International.

Junior pitcher Karen Burnette (Yorktown, VA/Tabb HS) scattered three hits and fanned six to gain the win. Kasey Sharp took the loss for the Tigers.

Burnette scattered three hits and struck out 10 in Shepherd's 4-0 win over Wheeling Jesuit. Shawna Clark took the loss for the Lady Cardinals.

Freshman shortstop Charla Wacker (Sterling, VA/Broad Run HS) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI and Jenn Canby was 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the Shepherd eight-hit attack.

Sophomore outfielder Julie Scherpf (Berkeley Springs, WV/Berkeley Springs HS) singled home Brooke Small with the game-winning run in a 4-3 Shepherd win over West Virginia State.

Scherpf went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI and Small was 3-for-4 with a run scored and a pair of RBIs. Canby also added pair of hits for the Rams.

Staci Kinder and Kim Darby each rapped a pair of hits to lead State.

Burnette gained her third win of the day in relief of sophomore starter Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS). Jessica Godby suffered the loss for State.

Salem International 000 100 0 1 3 0

Shepherd 200 111 5 6 0

WP: Burnette (8-5)

LP: Sharp (11-14)

Wheeling Jesuit 000 000 0 0 3 0

Shepherd 000 022 X 4 8 0

WP: Burnette (9-5)

LP: Clark

WV State 000 100 2 3 8 1

Shepherd 000 022 X 4 8 0

WP: Burnette (10-5)

LP: Clark