Finding different ways to win and having different individuals step up to lead the charge on a game-by-game basis is a sign of a unit that has the potential to do major damage on down the road.

However, it can be argued that the Shawnee State softball program has already done that.

In a River States Conference doubleheader against Point Park (Pa.) Tuesday evening, Shawnee State posted a crooked six-run third frame that was capped off by a three-run homer by Mackenzie Hale, while Cameryn Davidson and Sierra Dunnagan added in a two-RBI homer and a two-RBI base knock, respectively, to help give the Bears important insurance in a 10-6 Game 1 victory over Point Park.

Then, in Game 2, Shawnee State overcame adversity as the Bears, behind clutch pitching from starting talent Cassie Berry and relief pitcher Genavie Espinoza, rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run frame as Espinoza's RBI base knock to right field to tie the score was followed by Dunnagan's two-run, eventual game-winning homer to right field that gave Shawnee State a 3-1 victory in Game 2 as well as the series sweep.

With Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of Point Park (Pa.), Shawnee State moved to 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the River States Conference. The Bears trailed for just the second time all season and trailed after a full inning of play for the first time in 2024 in Game 2, but showcased the winning qualities that has allowed SSU to outscore its opposition by a 84-8 margin en route to its 10-0 start to the year.

Game 1 -- Shawnee State 10, Point Park (Pa.) 6

After two scoreless innings of play, Shawnee State blew the top off of the lid in the third frame as back-to-back-to-back singles by Brittani Wolfenbarker, Jenna Christopher and Lauren Spears resulted in an RBI single for Spears that put the Bears ahead by a 1-0 margin. Cassie Berry then delivered behind Spears as well, shooting a two-run double into the right center field gap to score both Christopher and Spears to push the score to a 3-0 count.

Then, following a free pass to Sierra Dunnagan, Mackenzie Hale unloaded on what ended up being a three-run home run, going to dead center with the pitch to help the Bears establish a 6-0 advantage after three innings complete.

Point Park got a run back in the fourth frame, but in the fifth inning of action, an error left a window of opportunity for Cameryn Davidson, who took full advantage by mashing a softball to left center field with high exit velocity, joining Hale in notching her first home run of the year in the process and helping Shawnee State take an 8-1 lead after five innings of work.

Amariah Hoerner, who pitched the first five innings of the contest, reentered in place of Davidson inside the circle and helped close the game out, with Dunnagan's two-RBI base knock in the sixth frame providing important insurance for Hoerner. The latter talent, a sophomore, picked up the win by throwing six-and-two-thirds innings of seven-hit baseball, striking out five while allowing just two earned runs in the process.

Game 2 -- Shawnee State 3, Point Park (Pa.) 1

For the first five innings of Game 2, Point Park held a 1-0 lead over Shawnee State.

However, even in facing a slight deficit, the tide appeared as if it was about to turn -- due to outstanding work from Cassie Berry and Genavie Espinoza.

Point Park, following a single, an error and another tough play that allowed Remi Koi, Melanie Taylor and Mara Iagnemma to load the bases with one out in the fourth inning, was shut down from there as Berry struck out opposing pitcher Savannah Lee and Gianna Welsh in order to keep the contest at a tight one-run affair.

Then Espinoza, who came on in place of Berry in the fifth frame, walked a batter while another reached on an error -- but worked out of trouble herself as Espinoza struck out Raigan Chavez and forced Koi into a groundout, again keeping the game well-contested with the Bears trailing by a scant 1-0 count through five innings of work.

The Bears then proceeded to turn Game 2 completely on its heels as a one-out single by Jenna Christopher was followed by a huge two-out hit to right field by Espinoza, who brought in Christopher on the RBI base knock to tie the score. One batter latter, Dunnagan made the inning a catacylsmic one as the California native turned on a pitch by Lee and belted a shot over the right center field fence to send the entire Shawnee State side into pandemonium. Espinoza closed out the game, the win and the series sweep by retiring Point Park in order over the next half-inning to conclude matters.

Additional

Shawnee State gets two days of rest before getting back to action with River States Conference doubleheaders in the Hoosier State, first against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) beginning Friday at 3 p.m. followed by a Saturday doubleheader against Indiana University-Purdue University-Columbus, which begins at 1 p.m.

For more information on SSU Bears Athletics, visit www.ssubears.com or visit the Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages at https://twitter.com/ SSUBears, https://www. facebook.com/SSUBears, https:/ /www.instagram.com/ssubears/? hl=en, and https://www. youtube.com/@ ssubearsathletics/videos. For more information on how to join the SSU Bear Club or for sponsorship of specific SSU players or events, visit https://givetossu.com/ bear-club and https:// givetossu.com/sponsorthebears.