An emotional weekend at Robb Sports Complex wrapped up a memorable 2016 softball campaign for the Shippensburg University Raiders.

The Raiders concluded the road portion of its schedule with a Thursday doubleheader in West Chester. The two-game set was originally scheduled for the following day, but was then moved ahead.

Against the No. 13 ranked NCAA Division II softball team in the nation, Shippensburg dropped both games of the double header.

In Game 1, the Raiders were held to two hits by Golden Rams’ pitcher Brooke Harner in a 5-0 loss. Harner improved her record to 18-1 on the season.

In the back end of the doubleheader, West Chester University capped off a 10-1 victory in five innings. The Golden Rams scored three in the first inning and seven in the second inning against sophomore pitcher Chloe Collins. Four errors were committed on the field by the Raiders.

SU took advantage of an off day on Friday to regroup before its emotional Senior Day season finale. Saturday, the Raiders hosted the East Stroudsburg University Warriors to finish their season. Shippensburg built upon a three-run first inning to a 4-3 victory, after a complete game performance on the mound by Taryn Wilson.

The climax of the doubleheader’s first game came off a three-run homerun in the bottom of the first inning by senior first basemen Taylor Pattillo. On a full count, Pattillo launched a shot over the left center field fence. She rounded second base with an energetic fist pump before being greeted by her teammates at home plate.

In the second game of the doubleheader — and final game of the 2016 softball season — the result was similar with a near replicated, fairy-tale ending. Shippensburg won 13-4 in five innings, fueled off a seven-run first inning. Freshman Maddie Schafer cleared the bases with a three-run double to turn an early 1-0 lead into 4-0 lead.

But like Pattillo, fellow senior Briana Giovenco homered one final time in a Shippensburg Raider uniform. In the bottom of the third inning, already up 9-3, Giovenco blasted a three-run homerun to left center field to extend the lead to 12-3. It proved to be the dagger to ESU, leading to a 13-4 win and doubleheader sweep.

It was a season plastered with injuries, adversity and emotion. Luckily for the Raiders, their two seniors received the final laugh.

“Those two young ladies (Pattillo and Giovenco) have been everything to our program,” head coach Bob Brookens said.

“Taylor Pattillo, I tried to recruit out of high school, but she went south and luckily found her way back to Shippensburg. When she walked into my office one day, it was one of the best office visits I have ever had. She walked in and asked if she could play.”

“When they both hit round-trippers today, it could not have been any better. Seeing them celebrate around the bases with their teammates, is a great thing for a coach to watch,” Brookens said.

Brookens then spoke of the remaining youth on the team, which includes nine freshmen and seven sophomores.

“I’m hoping that our young roster looks at our seniors and uses them as a mirror image.”

Brookens mentioned that six additional freshmen will join the team ready to compete for the following season.

Share