STROUDSBURG – Despite trailing 6-0 in game one after the first inning, the 15th-ranked East Stroudsburg University softball team came-from-behind to steal game one, 8-7, in extra innings and shut out Millersville, 6-0, in game two on Tuesday afternoon at Creekview Park.
The Warriors (31-7, 13-3 PSAC East) extend their winning streak to seven with its second sweep of Millersville this season. The Marauders (16-17, 7-9 PSAC East) fall below .500 with its third consecutive loss.
For the second consecutive series against Millersville, ESU trailed the Marauders 6-0 in game one and came from behind to earn the win and sweep.
Pitching Notables
- Sarah Davenport picked up wins in both contests in relief. She compiled 14 strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work, scattering three singles without allowing a run. She held Millersville to a .120 batting average and issued just one walk.
- Davenport hasn't allowed a run in each of her past five appearances and 24.1 innings, last allowing a run in the sixth inning in her first action at Millersville on March 26. Over her last five appearances, the freshman who leads NCAA Division II in strikeouts-per-seven innings has held foes to a .160 batting average, striking out 51 batters while issuing just four walks. She has not allowed an extra-base hit in that span.
- Since March 26th, Davenport has lowered her ERA from 1.37 to 1.05.
- Abbie Landrum pitched 5.1 innings of relief in game one, allowing two earned runs.
- Paige Zigmund started both contests, allowing five earned runs in 2.0 innings pitched.
Batting Notables
- Reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week Abigail Weirich (4-8, 2-2 SB) and Reilly Vicendese (4-9, 3B, 1-1 SB) each produced four runs to lead the offense.
- Also contributing four hits were Denva Shaw-Tait (4-7, HR, 2 RBI) and Taylor Lipkins (4-7, RBI, 4 runs, 2 BB). Shaw-Tait's home run was her second of the season.
- Shannon Edelman registered three RBIs, including the game-tying and game-winning run in game one to complete the comeback.
How It Happened – Game 1
- Millersville got off to a fast start with back-to-back singles, as Gabi Turner got a hold of a three-run home run to lift the Marauders to a 3-0 edge. The Marauders weren't done scoring, with a two-run RBI double from Marli Schriener and an RBI triple from Victoria Fuss to take a 6-0 lead.
- The game remained 6-0 in favor of Millersville until the bottom of the 4th. After an error by the third baseman that allowed Delaney Ridgell to reach base. After a ground out moved Ridgell to scoring position, Shaw-Tait followed with an RBI single to score Ridgell.
- The Warriors continued to chip into the deficit in the bottom of the 5th. Millersville switched pitchers, as a hit-by-pitch, walk, setup Vicendese for an RBI single to make it a 6-2 contest. Weirich followed an RBI single, as the Warriors trailed, 6-3 after five frames.
- Millersville got a run back in the top of the 6th after an RBI double from Gabby D'Ottavio, extending its lead back to five runs at 7-3.
- With six outs to spare, ESU started a rally with a Shaw-Tait single. After an error, and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Lipkins smacked an RBI single to slice the Marauder lead to 7-4. ESU wasn't done, with a two-RBI single from Weirich and a fielder's choice RBI by Edelman, as the Warriors suddenly tied the game at 7-7 after trailing 6-0 after the top of the 1st.
- Sarah Davenport entered the circle in the top of the 7th and immediately struck out the side.
- ESU could not end the game in the bottom of the 7th, despite a leadoff walk from Kaitlin Houser.
- Davenport cruised in the top of the 8th, forcing a ground out and striking out her fourth and fifth batters in the top of the 8th.
- Needing a run to end the game, Lipkins started the rally with an infield single. She advanced to third on a throwing error after a fielder's choice. After a strikeout, Edelman belted a ground ball, as Lipkins scored on the play to end the game one thrilling comeback, 8-7.
How It Happened – Game 2
- In the top of the 2nd, Zigmund loaded the bases with two outs after a single, walk and a fielder's choice. Davenport entered in relief and tossed a strikeout to avoid any damage.
- After a pair of ground outs in the bottom of the 2nd, Shaw-Tait blasted her second home run of the season to lift ESU to a lead. After a single by Samantha Derickson, an error and a walk by Lipkins loaded the bases, Vicendese smacked a two-RBI single. ESU took a 3-0 lead after two frames.
- The Warriors added insurance in the bottom of the 6th, with three runs on four hits and took advantage of an error. A two-out single by Lipkins started the rally, as the Georgian Court transfer stole second and then went to third after an errant throw by the catcher. Vicendese connected on an RBI single to score Lipkins to increase the Warrior lead to 4-0. Vicendese stole second to head to scoring position, with Weirich capitalizing on the opportunity with an RBI single. Edelman capped the scoring with an RBI single after Weirich stole second base.
- Davenport retired the side in order to register her second relief win of the day in the 6-0 victory.
Up Next
- ESU quickly returns to action with a doubleheader at Bloomsburg on Wednesday, with games scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
