The Rams’ softball team was successful in both matches of Sunday’s double-header action against Notre Dame with a 4-3 win in the early game and a 2-1 victory in the night cap. With the sweep, the Rams improved their overall record to (19-9) and now (11-5) in Mountain East Conference play.
In the early game action, the Shepherd offense struck first when sophomore catcher Allison Baker brought home teammates junior third basemen Rachel Taylor and designated hitter Lori Sturgill off a single to left field. The very next batter, sophomore pitcher Taylor Stocks added the third run in the first inning via RBI single, as freshman second basemen Leann Brown made it home.
The Falcons responded in the bottom of the first with one run off an RBI double to right field from second basemen Shelby Stevens that brought home center fielder Amy Hooper.
The score remained at 3-1 until the bottom of the fourth inning when pinch hitter Ariel Linberger drove home pitcher Mckenzie Zigmont and left fielder Alyssa Larson with a two-RBI single.
The early game was tied at three runs a piece heading into the fifth inning before Allison Baker hit an RBI double that scored Rachel Taylor with two outs off Falcon pitcher McKenzie Zigmont to get the score to 4-3. That proved to be the winning run in the early game as the Rams defense tightened up for the remaining two innings.
Rams Taylor Stocks pitched a complete game in securing her second win of the season as her record now sits at (2-1). Stocks allowed five total hits while striking out eight Falcon batters.
The night cap of the double header contained considerably less offensive output as shown by the 2-1 final score. The late game was marked by stringent defense on both sides with the game needing to go into the ninth inning for a winner to be decided.
The starter for the second game action, senior Kaitlin Munda, continued her momentum from yesterday’s win in pitching a complete game and only allowing one run. Munda surrendered eight hits the entire game while also striking out eight Falcons like fellow pitcher Taylor Stocks the game before her.
Munda aided in the Rams night cap win with more than just pitching as she hit a two-RBI double to left field in the top of the ninth inning, which scored first basemen Connor Gilligan and left fielder Jessica Robinson. With the Ram lead at 2-0, the Falcons made one final push in the bottom of the ninth inning but came up a run short.
With two outs, center fielder Amy Hoover singled to second base, driving in teammate Laina Combs for an RBI, and two batters later the side was retired, and the Rams win became official.
With the win, Munda improved her season record to (4-4) and is now back at .500 winning percentage for the year.
The Rams will now turn their focus toward their next opponent Shippensburg, as they travel to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, April 11, for double-header games beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Vaughn Brewer is a sports writer for The Picket, he can be reached at vbrewe01@rams.shepherd.edu