SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — The University of Charleston softball team advanced to the NCAA Atlantic Regional final with a 2-1 win over No. 21 Shippensburg on Friday morning at Robb Field.
THE BASICS:
Location: Shippensburg, Pa. (Robb Field)
Score: Charleston 2, #21 Shippensburg 1
Records: Charleston 47-16, Shippensburg 39-17
How It Happened:
Charleston scored both of its runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ella Zucchero opened the frame with a walk before Bianca Polistina singled to left field. Taylor Hodson followed with another walk to load the bases. Kayla Moran brought home the first run with an RBI walk before Emma Smith added an RBI single to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.
Shippensburg answered in the second inning after Rilee Ehrlacher doubled down the left field line and later scored on an RBI single from Emilee Sullivan to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The rest of the game turned into a pitching battle between Addison Mass and Dani Hayward. Charleston was held to four hits on the afternoon while Mass worked through multiple Shippensburg scoring threats to keep the Raiders off the board.
Shippensburg put runners on base in the third, fifth and sixth innings, but the Golden Eagles defense held each time. Mass closed out the seventh inning with three straight fly ball outs to send Charleston to the regional final.
Up Next:
Charleston will face Glenville State in the NCAA Atlantic Regional final on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. at Robb Field in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The regional final is a winner-take-all matchup.
