WISE, Va. –  Shepherd University (40-21) went 1-1 on the day to advance to the finals NCAA Division II Softball Atlantic 1 Regionals at UVa-Wise on Saturday. The Rams dropped a 5-3 decision to #18 West Chester (46-10) in an early game and posted a 6-4 win over UVa-Wise (36-19) in a later contest to advance to Sunday's final round. Shepherd's 40 wins on the year are the most ever in a season by any Shepherd team.

West Chester took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo homer by Alyssa Herion.

The Golden Rams added a run in the third on a round-tripper by Sarah Walsavage.

Shepherd tied the game in the fourth. Senior third baseman Alexandra Witt (Harpers Ferry, W.Va./Jefferson) singled and scored when sophomore first baseman Connor Gilligan Medford, N.J. Shawnee) belted a two-run homer.

Shepherd took a 3-2 lead in the fifth as sophomore designated player Lori Sturgill (Waldorf, Md./McDonough/College of Southern Maryland) walked and later scored on a double off the bat of  junior outfielder Jessica Robinson (Glen Burnie, Md./Glen Burnie). 

West Chester rallied in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-3 lead on a two-run homer by Madison Kelly.

The Golden Rams added an insurance run in the sixth as Bri Garber singled and later scored on a ground out by Kelly.

Junior shortstop Sarah North (Belcamp, Md./Harford Technical) had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

Herion had a 2-for-3 effort to pace the Golden Rams.

Senior pitcher Tara Hanson (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) (4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (21-7) took the loss for the Rams. Amanda Houck (7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 3 BB) (32-3) picked up the win for the Golden Rams.

The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the first inning against UVA-Wise in the later game as sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) singled and scored on a two-run homer by Witt.

Shepherd added a pair of runs in the third as North reached on an error and scored on a double by freshman second baseman Debbie Stuart (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run). Stuart later scored on a single by Gilligan.

The Cavaliers rallied with four runs in the fourth to tie the game. Alexa Hernandez hit a three-run homer and Samantha Ely added an RBI to even the score.

Shepherd retook the lead in the bottom of the frame on a solo blast off the bat of senior outfielder Paige Buckworth (Elkton, Md./North East).

The Rams added a run in the fifth as Witt singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Gilligan.

Witt and Stuart each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Hernandez had two hits to lead the Cavaliers.

Sturgill (3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 UR, 3 K, 0 BB) (11-4) picked up the win in relief for the Rams. Emily Kale (3.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 K, 0 BB) (7-6) took the loss for the Cavaliers.

The Rams advance to Sunday's finals against West Chester on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Notes: Tara Hanson broke a pair of season records for the Rams with 34 appearances (33, Kaitlin Munda - 2016) and 30 games started (29, Jen Unger - 1996).

Postgame Press Conference