MANSFIELD, Pa. – After holding on to a 6-3 victory in game one, the 15th-ranked East Stroudsburg University softball team came from behind to down Mansfield, 4-2, for the season sweep of the Mounties and secured a PSAC Tournament berth in the process on Tuesday afternoon at Helen Lutes Field.
With the sweep, the Warriors (38-12, 17-11 PSAC East) now lead second-place Shippensburg and West Chester by three games a top of the PSAC East standings, who split with one another on Tuesday. The Mountaineers (12-28, 3-27 PSAC East) drop a pair of contests after a split with Shepherd on Sunday.
Pitching Notables
- Freshman Sarah Davenport shined once again in the circle, picking up a save (6) in 2.2 innings of work in game one, while earning her 20th victory (W, 20-5) in game two's complete game win. Davenport matched her season-high and school record for the second time this season with 14 strikeouts in game two. In 9.2 innings of work against Mansfield on the day, the Hillsborough, N.J. native combined to allow five hits, and two runs, while striking out 20 batters. She allowed just two extra-base hits and did not walk a batter. She continues to extend her Warrior single-season record in strikeouts, now with 250 in just 140 innings.
- Paige Zigmund (W, 17-6) earned the victory in game one. She allowed four hits, and three runs while striking out seven in 4.1 innings. She issued three walks.
Batting Notables
- Shannon Edelman (2-6) led ESU with three RBIs on the day, which included a two-RBI double in game one. She also drew a pair of walks.
- Denva Shaw-Tait (3-6, 2B) and Katie Master (1-5, 2B) produced two runs each.
- Taylor Lipkins (3-8, 2B), Abigail Weirich (2-6, RBI, 3 runs, 2 BB 3-3 SB) and Reilly Vicendese (2-7, BB, 1-1 SB) all connected on multiple hits.
- Delaney Ridgell (1-7, RBI, BB) also produced a run.
How It Happened – Game 1
- The Warriors struck first, with a three-run top of the 2nd inning to grab an early edge. With the bases loaded and two outs, Master smacked a two-RBI double to lift the Warriors to a 2-0 lead. With runners on second and third, a passed ball allowed Jada Smallwood to score the third run in the frame.
- ESU added its fourth run in its next at-bats in the top of the 3rd. Weirich smacked a single and then stole second, which setup Edelman to drive her in with an RBI double.
- The Warriors led 4-0 until the bottom of the 5th. A one-out RBI double by Vonstein, followed by a two-RBI single from Shupp sliced the deficit to 4-3. Davenport entered the game and struck out the final two batters to keep the Warrior lead.
- In the 7th inning, ESU added two insurance runs with an RBI groundout by Edelman and a Shaw-Tait RBI double.
- Davenport set down the side in order in the bottom half of the seventh inning, with a flyout and two strikeouts to pick up her sixth save of the season.
How It Happened – Game 2
- After a quiet couple of innings to start game two, Mansfield was the first to put a tally on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 3rd. After back-to-back singles, a one-out two-RBI double by Vonstein lifted the Mounties to a 2-0 lead.
- ESU immediately answered in the top of the 4th. Weirich plated a run with an RBI groundout, while Edelman followed with an RBI single to knot the score at 2-2.
- The Warriors took the lead for good in the top of the 6th. With two runners in scoring position after a walk, single, and wild pitch, Ridgell lifted ESU to a 3-2 lead with a fielder's choice. Shaw-Tait followed with an RBI single, as ESU wrapped up the scoring with a 4-2 lead after five-and-a-half innings.
- Davenport retired the final seven batters she faced, matching her season-high and ESU program record with 14 strikeouts.
Up Next
- ESU returns to Creekview Park on Friday, April 26 for its final home regular season doubleheader against Bloomsburg. Game times are set for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
