PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Softball) – In a pair of pitching battles, Shawnee State fell behind early in game one, but was able to recover and claim the lead, but a seventh inning Lindsey Wilson home run tied the game. The game remained tied, until the Bears surrendered five runs in the 10th inning to lose 8-5. Game two was a low scoring affair, as Shawnee State battled, but was unable to find offensive production, falling to Lindsey Wilson 2-1 on Tuesday evening at Boone Coleman Field.

In game one Tara Duncan (JR/Lancaster, Ohio) went 3-for-5 from the plate with two RBIs. Miranda Pauley (JR/Portsmouth, Ohio) pitched well for SSU, finishing with seven innings of work where she only allowed three runs and struck out two batters. In game two Morgan Conrad (SO/Circleville, Ohio) went seven innings and allowed only two runs. Miranda Melvin (JR/Oak Hill, Ohio) was the offensive leader in game two, she was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Game One

Lindsey Wilson came into the game ranked seventh in the country with a powerful offense. They showed off their strength early, crossing the plate in inning number two and scoring again in inning three on an opposite field home run. Shawnee State was able to respond by playing small ball. In inning number five Mckenzie Whittaker, Duncan and Heidi Hall (JR/Greenwich, Ohio) all executed bunt singles. Shawnee State was leading 3-2 going into the final two frames.

SSU was moments away from closing the game out when Jenna Firestein laced an inside the park homerun down the left field line to bring Lindsey Wilson back. The next two innings were quiet for both teams. The Blue Raiders broke open the game in the top of inning number 10, as they scored five runs to take an 8-3 lead. Shawnee State scored two to bring it close, but the Bears were caught on the base paths for the final out. SSU lost game one 8-5.

Game Two

Game Two featured another inspired performance from Shawnee State. Lindsey Wilson opened the scoring with one run in the first and another run in the second inning. The Bears but a run on the board in inning three when Melvin laced an RBI single into left field, after three innings of play Shawnee State was trailing 2-1.

Shawnee State loaded the bases twice, but was unable to execute and score the crucial runs. The Bears were held scoreless through the final four frames, as they dropped game two by a final score of 2-1

SSU wraps up the series Wednesday in a double header against Lindsey Wilson. Game one will start around 3 p.m. at Boone Coleman Field.