The Shippensburg University softball team (11-7) had a busy spring break, going 6–2 and ending the week on a four-game winning streak.
The week’s lineup began with a doubleheader sweep of Glenville State College. The team’s offense burst onto the scene for a combined 23 runs on 28 hits. Junior Kayla Bonawitz finished the day 6-for-8 with a double, triple, two RBIs, a stolen base and four runs scored. Freshman Hannah Marsteller totaled three doubles, a sacrifice fly, six RBIs and three runs scored.
The Raiders’ pitching in Game 1 of the doubleheader was a mixed performance. They totaled 16 strikeouts, but also allowed three home runs to keep Glenville State in the game. SU won Game 1, 10–6.
While the first game of the doubleheader was filled with offense, Game 2 began as a pitching duel until Shippensburg exploded for five runs in the sixth inning. The Raiders won the game by a lopsided score of 13–0.
Next up for the Raiders was a pair of one-run losses to Wilmington University. After showing up in a big way against Glenville State, the team’s bats fell mostly silent against Wilmington. It took until the final inning of the first tie of the doubleheader for the team to wake up. The team rallied for four runs in the final frame, but it was not enough to overcome the 5–0 lead that Wilmington had built up.
Taryn Wilson tags a Holy Family runner out in Sunday’s sweep at home.
Game 2 of the doubleheader against Wilmington finished in a 3–2 loss for the Raiders. Freshman Tressa Kagarise received her first loss of the season, giving up three runs on four hits while tossing a complete game. Kagarise has performed well for the Raiders this season. She is currently 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
After getting swept by Wilmington, Shippensburg rebounded and began a winning streak that currently stands at four games. They swept Seton Hill University, winning a pair of close games 5-3 and 3-2. Both of the wins involved some grit from the Raiders, coming back from deficits in both games.
The Raiders were patient at the plate, drawing out long at-bats, resulting in nine walks against Seton Hill. Junior Meghan Klee reached base seven times against Seton Hill, going 5-for-6 with two walks, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. Freshmen Hannah Johnson and Morgan DeFeo each grabbed two RBIs in the sweep of the Griffins.
Shippensburg rounded out the week with two convincing wins over Holy Family University. The Raiders won Game 1, 8–0, behind a strong performance on the mound by Kagarise. The freshman pitched a complete game — her sixth of the season — while allowing only one hit and striking out six. The Raiders put some runs up on the board early and never looked back.
The Raiders won the second matchup of the doubleheader against Holy Family, 8–1. Senior Taryn Wilson tossed a complete game, giving up only one run on four hits. Freshman Grace Palmieri had a good pair of games against Holy Family, totaling four RBIs to help lead the way for the Raiders.
Sophomore Courtney Coy had an excellent week at the plate for the Raiders. In eight games, she went 16-for-30 with five doubles, one home run and six RBIs. Coy has been the team’s best hitter so far this season, hitting .500 with three homers and 18 RBIs.
The Raiders currently sit in first place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division, although they have yet to play a conference game.
They next take on Indiana University of Pennsylvania (4-11-1) in a doubleheader on the road on Saturday.
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