Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University softball team was eliminated from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoffs Friday after dropping a pair of games to Shippensburg. The Rock lost a heartbreaker in the opener, falling 3-2, and dropped the nightcap, 11-5.
Shippensburg plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of the opener to steal a 3-2 win in a heartbreaker for The Rock, playing in its first PSAC playoff game since 1984.
Shippensburg scored the first run of the game with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and carried that 1-0 advantage into the final inning.
The Rock opened the seventh inning with two pop fly outs before rallying to take the lead. Courtney Vincent reached on a single, her third hit of the game, and Jordan Zeunges walked to put runners on first and second for Jessica Kortz. Kortz ripped a double over the centerfielder's head and off the wall, plating both runners and putting SRU on top, 2-1.
Shippensburg opened the bottom of the seventh inning with two hits to put runners on first and second. Chelsea Carson was credited with a hit on her bunt attempt and a throwing error to first base allowed one run to score and left a runner on third-base. Moira Johnsen hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing in the winning run.
Shaylee Ianno suffered a heartbreaking loss on the mound after scattering five hits and striking out 10 batters in 6.1 innings of work.
Vincent led the way at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three singles and one run scored. Kortz was 2-for-4 with both Rock RBIs.
Shippensburg pitcher Lori Knopf was credited with the win after allowing two runs on eight hits.
The second game proved to be another emotional rollercoaster for The Rock, with Shippensburg pulling away late in the game to seal an 11-5 win.
Slippery Rock scored one run in the bottom of the first inning and held a 1-0 advantage until Shippensburg scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead.
The Rock responded with a four-run fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead, but the Raiders answered right back, plating four runs in the top of the sixth inning and adding four more in the top of the seventh inning.
Vincent capped her impressive day by going 4-for-4 with three stolen bases and one run scored. She finished the day with seven hits in eight at bats.
Sheree Horvath was 2-for-3 and Kirsten Brant was 2-for-2 with an RBI and one run scored. Whitney Warmus was credited with a two RBI single and Lisa Getgen was credited with the final RBI.
Shauna Walker took the loss on the mound, throwing the complete game and allowing 11 runs (10 earned) with five walks and one strikeout.
Shippensburg finished the game with 11 runs on 11 hits and committed one error. The Rock matched the Raiders in hits with 11, but committed three costly errors.
Shippensburg, the number two seed in the PSAC-East, lost a game against Lock Haven between its two contests with The Rock and will face the Lady Eagles tomorrow at 1 p.m. Lock Haven is the top seed in the PSAC-Central and is currently ranked third in the latest national poll.
The Rock now owns a 21-23 overall record and will have to wait to find out if it will be invited to the postseason regional tournament. Shippensburg improved its record to 25-17 with its three games Friday.
