SHEPHERD SOFTBALL HANDS WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN FIRST CONFERENCE LOSS

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- Shepherd University rallied past West Virginia Wesleyan in the nightcap with a 4-2 win to gain a split in WVIAC softball action at Shepherd on Saturday afternoon. The Shepherd win was the first conference loss for the Bobcats this season. Wesleyan took game one with 10-0 win in six innings. The Shepherd victory was also the first home win over Wesleyan since the 1992 season.

The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead in the nightcap when Meghan Keith doubled and later scored on a RBI-double by Heather Hall.

Shepherd grabbed a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Senior first baseman Brooke Small (Herndon, VA/Herndon HS) and senior shortstop Megan Zahnow (Berkeley Springs, WV/Berkeley Springs HS) reached base on back-to-back infield errors. Small scored on an RBI-double by sophomore catcher Stephanie Sims (Mt. Airy, MD/Glenelg HS) and Zahnow scored on an RBI-single off the bat of freshman outfielder Rae Johnson (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge HS).

The Rams sealed the win with a pair of runs in the fifth. Sophomore outfielder April Przygocki (Frederick, MD/Frederick HS) and senior outfielder Jenn Canby (Martinsburg, WV/Martinsburg HS) both singled and were later plated on a two-run single by Zahnow.

Wesleyan's Shannon Moxey walked and later scored on a single by Melinda Durst in the sixth for the game's final tally.

Senior starter Karen Burnette (Yorktown, VA/Tabb HS) scattered six hits en route to her ninth win of the year. Kendall Pittock took the loss for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats used a nine-hit attack in game one to earn a 10-0 win.

Ashley Blandford and Hall had two hits each, while Jana White and Durst each added a pair of RBIs. Durst added a solo blast in the third.

Wesleyan starter Cory Karcesky tossed a three-hitter to improve to 18-1 on the year. Junior Mia Zappacosta (Owings Mills, MD/McDonogh HS) took the loss for the Rams.

Shepherd moves to 20-20 overall, 9-5 in WVIAC play, while West Virginia Wesleyan is now 33-18, 13-1. The Rams return to action on Thursday when they host Fairmont State for a 1:00 p.m. conference doubleheader.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score