Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor

Seniors Allison Mende, Amanda Carlin, Laura Cregan, Haley Thomas and Sierra Wagner from ESU’s softball team were honored last Saturday as the Warriors dropped a pair of games to the Shippensburg University Raiders 9-7 and 10-6 on Senior Day.

Offense was not a problem for the Warriors. ESU managed 13 hits in the first doubleheader and 11 hits in the second doubleheader for a total of 24 hits and 13 runs.

However, Shippensburg’s offense was just a little more powerful. The Raiders pounded out 27 hits and 19 runs to outhit and outscore the Warriors over two games.

With the score tied at two in the first game, Shippensburg senior first baseman Taylor Pattillo hit a three-run home run in the top of the third inning to give the Raiders a 5-2 lead.

The Warriors scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut into Shippensburg’s lead.

Trailing 4-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning, ESU sophomore center fielder Katherine Liedberg singled to drive in one run, and freshman third baseman Samantha Pickar’s single drove in two more runs to give ESU a 7-6 lead with two innings left to play.

In the top of the sixth inning, Carlin came in to relieve junior starting pitcher Rachael Liguori.

But ESU could not hold the lead as Shippensburg sophomore right fielder Anna Warfield hit an RBI single to tie the game.

The Raiders scored two more runs in the seventh to extend its lead to 9-7.

The Warriors would rally. Senior catcher Haley Thomas tripled to open the bottom of the seventh inning, but Shippensburg freshman pitcher Nicole Smith retired the next three Warriors leaving Thomas stranded 60 feet away.

Ship took the first game 9-7.

ESU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second game courtesy of RBI singles by first baseman Danielle Dungee and Liedberg.

But the Raiders continued their offensive barrage in the second game. Ship scored six runs in the third inning and three more runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 9-2 lead.

The bottom of the fifth inning was controversial. With two outs and the bases loaded, Liedberg hit a ground ball that was fielded by Ship first baseman Pattillo. While it looked like Liedberg outraced Pattillo to first, one of the officials ruled that Liedberg was out.

ESU Assistant Coach Karen Strittmatter protested the ruling, but the call stood. There is no instant replay in Division II softball.

The upshot was that ESU left three on base, and no runs scored. The controversial call ended a potential ESU scoring rally.

Down 3-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Warriors would rally and score three runs, but it would not be nearly enough.

ESU dropped the second game to Shippensburg 10-6.

The Warriors fared better against Goldey-Beacom last Tuesday. ESU got back in the winning groove by taking both games of the doubleheader 2-1 and 10-7.

ESU (13-13) will visit Millersville to play a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu