STROUDSBURG -- Despite tossing 20 strikeouts in 16 innings on the day, the East Stroudsburg University softball team fell in consecutive games for the first time this season (4-1, 2-1 9 inn.), dropping both games of a doubleheader to Shippensburg on Friday afternoon at Creekview Park.

The Warriors are now to 24-4, 1-3 in PSAC East play. The Raiders improve to 17-11, 3-1 in conference action.

Notables

• Molly Nies produced both of ESU's RBIs on the day. She recorded her first on an fielder's choice in game one and followed with an RBI double in her first at bat in game two.
• Kaitlyn Caleen also registered multiple hits, belting a pair of singles for the Warriors. She scored the lone run for ESU in game one.
• Brooke McKeown provided a leadoff triple in game two and came around to score on the Nies double.
• Katherine Donaghue, Reilly Vicendese, and Sofia Cecchin also recorded singles against SU.
• Despite 13 strikeouts, Katie Zaun (L, 7-3) was charged with the loss in game one. Her 13 punchouts tied her freshman season high, which she first established against Holy Family on March 15. She was just one strikeout away from tying the school record (since 2002 when records are available) of 14 strikeouts. Jen Bensinger (2009 vs. Goldey Beacom) and Monica Sobolesky (2003 vs. Wilmington) each have registered 14 strikeouts in a game. Zaun did match the ESU PSAC record 13 strikeouts, that Sobolesky accomplished against Millersville in 2002. Zaun allowed 10 hits, three earned runs while walking just two in the complete game.
• In game two, Paige Zigmund allowed one run in three innings to start the game. Leigh Ann Jenkins (L, 7-1) pitched the final six innings of the elongated game two, suffering her first loss of the season. She struck out six Raiders, and allowed just four hits, limiting SU to a .182 batting average.
• As a team, ESU batted .145 on the day and were limited to six singles, a double and a triple.
• 2021 PSAC East Athlete of the Year Hannah Marstellar was held hitless in game two, snapping a PSAC record 37-game hitting streak, which spanned the last 10 games of 2021 and the first 27 games of 2022.

How it Happened - Game One

• Both pitchers were dialed in from their first pitch. Zaun was able to strikeout six through the first three innings, while Ship's Alicia Bell did not allow a hit for the first two frames.
• Ship struck first in the top of the 3rd, putting runners on base with a pair of two-out singles. Marstellar would bring in SU's first run with an RBI single. McKeown made a strong throw on the play from center field, but SU's Myers snuck her hand under the tag at the plate. 
• ESU posted its first hit in the bottom half of the third frame, as Caleen hit a base knock. ESU was able to advance Caleen into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt by Lexi Wright, but a strikeout and fielder's choice would keep the Warriors off the scoreboard.
• SU's Morgan Lindsay opened the bottom half of the 3rd with a solo home run to increase the Raider lead to 2-0. Zaun would not allow another Raider to score, keeping the deficit at 2-0.
• ESU put a runner on base with an Ashley Spencer walk in the fourth frame and the Ronkonkoma, N.Y. native advanced to second on a stolen base, but a ground out with two outs prevented a Warrior run.  
• The Warriors offense put up its lone run in the bottom of the 5th, after Caleen's second single of the ball game to start the inning. After advancing to second on a ground out and moving to third on a wild pitch, Caleen came around to score on a fielder's choice, with the Raiders' shortstop making a diving play to get a force out at second base. Nies provided the RBI on the play.
• The Raiders looked to get the run back in its next time up in the top of the 6th. With runners on first and second and two outs, Zaun fired her 12th strikeout to exit the inning without harm.
• Cecchin threatened with an infield single, and later advanced to third base after a stolen base and ground out. With two outs, the Warriors could not find a gap, with a ground out ending the sixth inning.
• Ship grabbed a 4-1 lead after a 2-run top of the 7th. The Raiders put the leadoff batter on base after an error. The runner would come around to score on a fielder's choice, for an unearned run. The Raiders added an insurance run with a one-out single to grab a three-run lead at 4-1.
• A one-out walk looked to give ESU momentum, but a strikeout and groundout ended the game, with Ball limiting ESU to three singles in game one.

How it Happened - Game Two

• Both teams scored a run in their first at bats in game two. The Raiders opened the game with an infield single. Myers then stole second and advanced to third on an error by the ESU catcher. A ground out would score Myers for the first run.
• It didn't take the Warriors long to respond, as McKeown opened the Warriors bottom of the 1st with a triple to right center. Nies followed with another extra-base hit -  a double to left field - which scored McKeown and knotted the game at 1-1.
• ESU nearly grabbed its first lead of the series in its next at bats, but pinch-runner Madison Chapman was stranded on third base.
• Ship relief pitcher Maddie Ushock retired 12 consecutive Warriors until Nies recorded a single to lead off the bottom of the 6th. After advancing to third base on a throwing error and a ground out, a two-out pop up stranded Nies 60 feet away from scoring.
• Jenkins retired the side in order to open the seventh inning. Katherine Donaghue provided a one-out single to put the potential game-winning run on base. Weirich, who pinch ran for Donaghue, stole second on a strikeout to advance to scoring position. A strikeout with two outs forced extra innings at Creekview Park.
•  Jenkins continued to dominate in extras, setting down the Raiders in order in the eighth. Vicendese added a single in the eighth inning, but would she was stranded.
• Ship tallied the first run since the opening inning in the top of the 9th, with a two-out RBI single to right field off the bat of SU's Maelynn Leber which scored Katelyn Minney, who opened the frame with a double.
• Uschock picked up her second victory of the season after two flyouts and a strikeout in the 2-1 pitcher's duel in extra innings.   

Up Next

The Warriors have a quick turnaround, hosting Shepherd at Creekview Park on Saturday afternoon. Opening pitch at Creekview Park is set for 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. against the Rams.