FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield slugs its way past West Liberty 13-5

Boxscore

SALEM, VA – Kate Pratt dove in what proved to be the winning run and Danielle Long blasted a two-run home run as Mansfield erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to slug its way past West Liberty (WV) 13-5 in the opening game of the WVWU Tournament in Salem, VA Friday afternoon.

The game was tied 5-5 going into the bottom of the sixth when senior Janelle Antes led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Chara Dixon. Kate Pratt then doubled on a 2-0 pitch to drive in Antes and give Mansfield a 6-5 lead.

One out later, Jorden Rishel singled scoring Pratt before Long blasted her second home run of the season over the centerfield fence.

Mansfield scored seven of its eight 6th inning runs with two outs with Dixon singling in two of those runs.

West Liberty (1-16) took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first getting six hits, including five in a row, off starter Kate Pratt.

Mansfield chipped away at the lead scoring a run in the second on a leadoff home run by Erin Carroll and two more in the third on RBI singles by Nicole Yost and Long to tie the score at 3-3.

The Mountaineers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth when Rishel stole home and freshman Kaitlyn Harris drove in a run.

West Liberty scored twice in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run by Stacy Sumner to tie the game at 5-5 before Mansfield's eight runs in the sixth ended the game on the eight-run rule.

Pratt went the distance to earn her third win in four decisions striking out seven and walking none.
Mansfield had 14 hits in the game including two each by Dixon, Carroll, Long and Simmeth. Long went 2-3 with a home run and three RBI.

Mansfield improves to 6-2 on the season and plays Davis & Elkins and Ohio Valley Saturday.