SB4-20-01

ESU-Millersville Softball

EAST STROUSDBURG - Centerfielder Jill Higgins made the two big plays, both offensively and defensively, as East Stroudsburg University swept a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference softball doubleheader over Millersville, 3-2 and 8-2, Friday on Zim bar Field.

In the opener, Higgins made a sensational diving catch on Audra Landers' line drive into the gap with one out in the seventh inning and the potential tying run on second base. Pitcher Tina Morak then out the last out on a grounder to preserve the one-run victory.

In the second contest, the Warriors trailed, 2-1, entering the fifth inning when Higgins led off with a towering double which bounced off the fence in left centerfield. It triggered a seven-run ESU rally which broke the game open.

The Warriors pounded out 19 hits in the twinbill with every starter plus one reserve contributing. Morak hurled a six-hitter for the first-game victory and Monica Sobolesky tossed a four-hitter in the second contest.

In the opener, Tara Greig doubled in the first inning, stole third base and came home on an error for the first ESU run. Nifer Shaw's double and singles by Aishling Stevens and Deana Geist produced two more runs in the second inning. Shaw was 2-for-3 in the game.

Trailing 2-0 in the second contest, the Warriors rallied with a run in the fourth inning on Greig's double and consecutive singles by Shaw, Mary Beth Scotch and Tara Buckley.

They then bunched six hits in the fifth-inning outburst with Higgins scoring the tying run on Greig's single and the lead run coming across on an error. Scotch followed with a two-run triple, Tara Buckley hit a double and Geist a run-producing single.

Buckley and Scotch were both 2-for-3 and Geist 2-for-4.

The sweep lifted ESU's record to 15-17 overall and 8-10 in the conference. They will play another home doubleheader today at 1 p.m. against West Chester. Millersville is now 15-16 overall and 5-11 in PSAC play.

(first game)

Millersville 000 020 0 2-6-3

East Stroudsburg 120 000 x 3-8-0

Michelle Kuhn and Kate Adams; Tina Morak and Erika Lee

2B - ES, Tara Greig, Nifer Shaw

3B - Mill, Amy Young

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(second game)

Millersville 200 000 0 2-4-2

East Stroudsburg 000 170 x 8-11-0

Monica Sobolesky and Erika Lee; Michelle Doubet, Kristin Heberlig (5) and Kate Adams, Rachel Thomas (5). LP - Doubet

2B - Mill, Sabrina Atkins; ES, Tara Buckley, Jill Higgins

3B - ES, Mary Beth Scotch

Records: ESU 15-17 (8-10 PSAC), Millersville 15-16 (5-11 PSAC)