STROUDSBURG – The No. 13 East Stroudsburg University softball team used impressive pitching and a pair of clutch home runs from
Katie Master and
Samantha Derickson to earn close victories of 1-0, 2-1, to sweep Shepherd on Friday afternoon at Creekview Park's Vigon International Field.
The Warriors (21-5, 3-1 PSAC East) have now won 17 of its past 18 games, with three straight triumphs in conference action. The Rams (11-11, 1-3 PSAC East) have now lost in three straight games after a split with Shippensburg in its conference-opening doubleheader.
In game two in relief, ESU's
Sarah Davenport struck out 14 of the 18 batters she faced, tying the Warriors' single-game record of 14 strikeouts, since at least 2002. The Warriors also set a new single-game record of team strikeouts in a single game in game two with Davenport (14) and
Abbie Landrum (2) combining for 16, breaking the previous mark of 14.
Pitching Notables
- ESU's pitching staff of Paige Zigmund (W, 11-2), Abbie Landrum and Sarah Davenport (W, 10-2) (S, 2) shined, as previously mentioned combining to allow just nine hits, an unearned run, holding the Rams to a .176 batting average. The trio combined for a total of 26 strikeouts, without issuing a walk.
- In game one, Zigmund gave up just two hits in six innings of work, while fanning eight Rams. After allowing a leadoff double in a 1-0 game, Davenport entered the game in relied and struck out two batters, and forced a ground out to pick up her second save of the season.
- Landrum started game two in the circle, allowing four hits in two frames. She gave up an unearned run and struck out a pair. With ESU trailing 1-0 in the third inning, Davenport entered the contest with runners on second and third base, allowing a bunt single, but struck out three batters to avoid any additional damage. Davenport could not be tamed, striking out 14 of the 18 Rams she faced.
- Davenport is the third Warrior to record 14 strikeouts in a single game and she accomplished the feat in just five innings. Jen Bensinger (2009, at Goldey Beacom) and Monica Sobolesky (2004 at Wilmington) also registered 14 strikeouts in a single game.
- Landrum (2) and Davenport (14) combined for the new program record (since at least 2002) of 16 team strikeouts in a single game. The previous team record of 14 punchouts in a game came against previously mentioned Goldey-Beacom (2009) and Wilmington (2004), along with 2017 against Chowan.
- Davenport recorded her 100th strikeout of her freshman season in just 62.2 innings pitched.
- Without allowing an earned run, the Warriors lowered their team ERA to 1.57 and its WHIP to .97. ESU has fired 205 strikeouts in 173.2 innings in the season, holding foes to a .206 batting average.
Hitting Notables
- Home runs from Katie Master and Samantha Derickson accounted for the Warriors' three runs on the afternoon.
- Master smacked her team-leading fourth home run of the season in the bottom of the 3rd inning, as the solo home run was the lone run in the contest.
- With ESU trailing 1-0 after the first inning in game two, Derickson was able to connect on her first career home run to lift ESU to a 2-1 lead. That long ball wrapped up the scoring in game two.
- Derickson, Abigail Weirich, Reilly Vicendese, and Taylor Lipkins all belted two hits on the day.
Shepherd Notables
- Shepherd's Madalayne Ruffner also had success in the circle, starting both contests. She combined to allow nine hits in 10 innings of work while striking out 16. She gave up the solo home run to Derickson and was charged with one of the two runs off of Derickson's two-run home run, compiling a 1.40 ERA on the day.
How It Happened – Game 1
- ESU nearly scored in the top of the 1st, with back-to-back singles from Lipkins and Vicendese. A double steal put a pair of runners in scoring position, but a strikeout and fly out avoided a run.
- Master led off the bottom of the 3rd with a solo shot to left field for her fourth home run of the season in the lone run of the game.
- Zigmund kept the Rams hitless until the top of the 4th, with Caitlin Donnely accounting for the first base runner with a single.
- After allowing a double to leadoff the top of the 7th, Zigmund departed and Davenport entered in relief. The Hillsborough, N.J. native struck out the first two batters she faced and forced a ground out for the third and final out to pick up her second save of her freshman season.
How It Happened – Game 2
- After not scoring a run in game one, the Rams put up a tally early. After a pair of infield singles and an error put runners on second and third, Shepherd attempted a double steal, with ESU taking the out at second.
- Landrum set the side down in order in the top of the 2nd. In the Rams' next at-bats, a leadoff single and double put a pair of Rams in scoring position. Davenport entered the circle in relief and fired a strikeout, allowed a bunt single, and powered two more strikeouts to get out of the bases-loaded jam.
- After back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the 7th, Davenport allowed a double but picked up her third strikeout of the inning and her 14th of the game in just five innings to pick up her 10th win in 12 decisions.
Up Next
- The Warriors are back in action on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. against Shippensburg. The doubleheader will serve as ALS Awareness Day at Creekview Park.
