The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Heather Johnson’s RBI double in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Lock Haven downed Shippensburg, 1-0, to claim the 2006 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Softball Championship. The title was the first for the Lady Eagles in 24 years, and ended Shippensburg’s run of crowns at three straight.

The game turned out to be a pitcher’s duel between Lock Haven freshman Kristin Erb and Shippensburg senior Kelley Tiesi. Tiesi took the hard-luck loss, despite allowing just one run, five hits and a single walk. She struck out six. Erb’s line was rather similar, giving up six hits and two walks while fanning five.

Unfortunately for Tiesi, her one walk was costly. Lock Haven’s Courtney Hughes scored the winning run on Johnson’s double after coaxing the base-on-balls. Shippensburg left fielder Liz Good nearly saved the run as the ball tipped off the end of her glove despite her all-out effort.

The Lady Raiders nearly got on the board in the first, as a pair of singles and a groundout gave Ship second and third with just one out. Erb then took over, fanning the cleanup and No. 5 hitters to get out unscathed.

Lock Haven (46-3) earns the PSAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs while Shippensburg (40-18) likely will receive an at-large bid.