SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The Mercyhurst softball team relied on its defense and pitching today as they picked up two one-run wins against Shepherd University, 3-2 and 2-1. 
 
Freshman Annie Truelove and Shepherd's Tricia Bettura both set in for a pitching dual in the first game of the twinbill.  Both pitchers shutout the opposing team throughout the first three innings. The Rams assembled two runs in the bottom of the fourth taking away Truelove's clean slate. 
 
Trailing by two runs the Lakers cut the Rams lead in half during the top of the fifth.  With runners on the corners senior Samantha Eimers delivered with a single to the shortstop that scored junior Julie Harmon from third base.
 
Truelove gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth but would retire the next three batters giving the Lakers a chance to tie the game.
 
Mercyhurst did just that after junior Kristen Fyffe singled to right field scoring the tying run, junior Amanda Walker.
 
Junior Megan Hopton relieved Truelove a third of the way through the bottom of the sixth inning. Hopton retired the first two batters she faced, keeping game one at a 2-2 tie. 
 
Senior Andrea Sauers led off the seventh inning by drawing a walk.  The walk would be the difference in the game as a groundout by junior Molly McNamara and a pass ball placed the senior on third base and in scoring position.  Eimers ripped a single into left field scoring Sauers, the run proved to be the gamewinner as Hopton retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, handing the Lakers their eighth win of the season.
 
Game two of the doubleheader proved to be just as dramatic with each team giving up just four hits a piece.  Senior Kristi Janoske took the circle for the Lakers giving up just three hits in the win.  Sophomore Megan Smith earned the save as she provided support in the sixth and seventh innings allowing just one hit.  Tiffany Biggs of Shepherd was credited with loss after pitching seven innings allowing four hits.
 
The Lakers scored the first two runs of the game after four scoreless innings of play.  In the top of the fifth inning with bases loaded freshman Lauren Rossi drew a walk, scoring Sauers.  Senior Emily Redig drove a sacrifice fly ball to center that scored what would be the eventual game winning run in McNamara. 
 
In the bottom frame of the sixth inning Shepherd rallied to make an attempt for a late game comeback.  Smith relieved Janoske after she walked the second batter she faced in the inning.  Smith got the first batter she faced to pop out for the second out of the inning.  Smith then gave up a walk allowing the tying run to reach first base.  The next batter doubled down the line scoring the runner from second.  With the game on the line the Rams sent the runner from first home in hopes to tie the game, but a perfectly executed relay from right fielder Fyffe to first baseman Eimers to catcher Jen Bower cut down the tying run at the plate, ending the inning.
 
Biggs of Shepherd shut the Lakers offense down in the top of the seventh sending game two into the bottom of the inning.  An error by the Lakers defense allowed the tying run to reach base but Mercyhurst carried a bend don't break mentality and would record three consecutive outs, earning their ninth win of the season.
 
The sweep of the Rams moves the Lakers overall record back to .500 (9-9).  Shepherd drops to 8-6 on the season.
 
Mercyhurst will continue play in West Virginia as they take on Glenville State University tomorrow, March 11 at 1 p.m. in Glenville, W.Va.