WINCHESTER, Va. – Eastern Mennonite used a strong finish to game one and an even better start to game two to sweep host Shenandoah University in non-league softball action.

EMU (11-11) scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to win the opener 7-4 before plating five in the first inning of a 9-5 game two win.

Shenandoah (7-11) never led in the opener, but had an excellent chance to win it in the eighth. Using in the international tie-breaking procedure, Kristin Windle was sacrificed to second by leadoff hitter Sheryl Wilson and tied the game on Catherine Beuerle's double to center.

Beuerle moved to third on when Alicia Sanders reached on an error, but was left stranded after Tana Bartek grounded into a 4-3 double play.

The Royals scored what proved to be the game-winning run a half-inning later when Laura Bomberger hit a bases loaded grounder to second that scored placed runner Hayley Shephard from third. One batter later, starting and winning pitcher Natasha Viafora drove in a pair of insurance runs with a single to center.

Beuerle, Jessica Bollinger , Ashley Ballentine and Katie Haskins all had two hits for the Hornets in the opener with Beuerle driving in two runs and Haskins one.

Viafora had a game-high three RBI while Shepherd drove in two for the victors.

EMU sent 10 women to the plate in the first inning of the nightcap on its way to scoring five runs on five hits and on SU error. Viafora and Jamie Faysher both had two RBI singles in the frame.

The Hornets trailed 9-2 leading into their last at-bat, but scored three runs on three hits and one error to bring the final score to the four-run margin. Beuerle, Sanders and Bartek all drove in runs – Beuerle had an RBI single to left, Sanders had a groundball that plated Kristen Templeton and Bartek knocked a sacrifice fly to center that sent Beuerle home with an unearned run.

Viafora won game two as well – she had a combined five strikeouts in the two complete game victories. Bartek (3-4) took the loss in game one with Haskins (4-5) charged with the loss in game two. Bartek had eight strikeouts in the opener.

Box Scores/Plays by Play 

Shenandoah hosts Ferrum College Saturday afternoon in a USA South Conference doubleheader.