Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Brooke Muth got West Chester out of a jam in the top of the seventh to preserve a doubleheader sweep over Shippensburg in a PSAC East softball showdown on a windy and cool Tuesday afternoon on South Campus. The Golden Rams took game one by the measure of 10-3 and then came from behind and held on in the end of game two, 11-9.
West Chester (14-6, 3-1 PSAC East) and Shippensburg (7-13, 0-2) fought through rain and drizzle for five innings in game one, but just had the wind blowing out to left field to contend with the rest of the afternoon.
Carrying an 11-6 lead into the top of the seventh inning of game two, West Chester freshman righty Missy Schwartz (2-0) looked like she was in control since relieving starter Muth in the third inning. However, the Raiders mounted a furious rally by loading the bases with nobody out and pushing across three runs to pull within striking distance of the Golden Rams.
West Chester head coach Diane Lokey went back to Muth (S, 2), who allowed all three inherited runners to score while getting one out on a force play at third base. Then, the junior righty struck out Jill Mullan and Dana ward to end the game.
The Golden Rams, who trailed 3-0 after three innings, put up seven runs on nine hits in the fourth inning and followed up with a four-run fifth to take a commanding 11-6 lead. Shippensburg had answered WCU’s seven-run fourth with three of its own in the top of the fifth.
Sam Ingersoll hit a three-run homer and had a bases-loaded double to finish game two 3-for-3 with six RBI. Erin MacNamee also hit a two-run shot in the fateful fourth inning.
Muth started and lasted two innings before switching places with third baseman Schwartz. The freshman got West Chester to the seventh inning, yielding six runs, only one of them earned, on four hits, walking three and striking out three.
She faced the first four batters of the seventh without retiring a batter when Lokey switched the two again. Muth finished with a combined three innings pitched and allowed three runs on four hits. She walked four and struck out three.
West Chester scored at least one run in all six innings in the opener en route to a 10-3 victory. Megan Harbaugh hit four sacrifice flies to finish with four RBI without an official at bat. Ingersoll was 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Muth (6-4) pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on seven hits. She walked three and struck out four.
West Chester travels to USP on Wednesday for a non-league doubleheader.
