The Shepherd University Softball team began the 2013 season at the inaugural Shaw University softball challenge in Raleigh, NC. The Rams split a pair of games against West Chester and Millersville in the first day of scheduled play at the Shaw Softball Challenge.
The Shepherd softball team was scheduled to play Mount Olive, Indiana (PA.), and Slippery Rock on February 16th and 17th however, due to snow and inclement weather the remaining games at the Shaw University softball challenge were cancelled.
In the season opening game on February 15th, the Rams handed West Chester a 6-1 loss. Shepherd jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after sophomore outfielder Tayler Schaefer hit a solo home run in the second inning. In the third inning, the Rams seized on the opportunity of two Golden Ram errors and extended their lead after a RBI-single from sophomore first baseman Savannah Snyder.
West Chester attempted to begin mounting a comeback in the bottom of the third when Kelly Anderson had an RBI-Single to make the score 3-1. The Ram’s answered back by scoring three runs in the fourth inning. Junior shortstop Jess Mason batted in a two run single and freshman third baseman Kass Taylor had an RBI-single to help seal the win.
In the day’s later game, the Rams were not as fortunate as they fell in disappointing fashion to Millersville. The Marauders took advantage of 10 walks and six hits to win the game 13-1 over Shepherd. The Ram’s only run came early in the game when freshman pitcher Shannon Lyons led off the first inning with a single, which resulted in her scoring on a triple batted in by Kass Taylor.
The Shepherd Softball Team will look to rebound when they travel to Greeneville, TN for the Tusculum Tournament on February 23rd and 24th. While at the tournament, they will take to the field to play Augusta State, West Georgia, Tusculum and King. The Ram’s first home game is scheduled to take place on March 2nd at 1 PM when they play Bloomsburg. d