FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield softball ends season with sweep over Clarion – Pratt's walk-off double caps three run rally in opener

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MANSFIELD – Freshman Kate Pratt doubled in the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally Mansfield to a 3-2 win in the opener of a Mountaineer sweep over Clarion in a PSAC Central doubleheader at Helen Lutes Field Thursday afternoon.

Pratt and senior Nicole Yost each belted home runs in a 4-1 win in the nightcap.

In the opener, Clarion's Erica Burkey held Mansfield to just one hit for the first six innings. After the first Mansfield batter grounded out in the seventh, freshman Kaitlyn Harris reached on an infield error and moved to second when Danielle Long drew a walk.

Harris was forced out at third for the second out of the inning before freshman Stephanie Simmeth singled sharply to center with both runners scoring, the second when the outfielder booted the ball. Senior Janelle Antes walked before Pratt drove a pitch to the centerfield fence to score Simmeth with the winning run.

Pratt also picked up the win, her fourth of the season, coming in relief of starter Melissa Baer with two out in the sixth inning. Baer went 5.2 innings in the final game of her career scattering four hits and striking out one while walking six.

Pratt didn't allow a hit over the final 1.1 innings striking out one.

Simmeth, Antes and Pratt had Mansfield's three hits while Rebecca Lynch drove in both runs for Clarion.

In the closer, Clarion took a 1-0 lead on a solo first inning home run by Rebecca Lynch before Mansfield countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Two of those runs come on a two-run home run by Pratt – her fifth of the season – over the centerfield fence with Yost, the next batter, hitting a solo shot to straight-way center.

Mansfield would add one more run in the fifth on an RBI single by Pratt.

Sophomore Caitlin Klobosits picked up her second win in three decisions on the season allowing just four hits and one earned run over the first five innings while striking out four. Freshman Liz Pieniazek came in relief in the sixth inning allowing just one hit and striking out two.

Pratt went 2-3 with a home run and three RBI's while Yost ended her career with a school record 23 home runs. Chara Dixon went 2-3 with a double.

Megan Daley went the distance to take the loss for Clarion with Lynch going 2-3 with a home run.

Mansfield completes its season with an 11-17 overall record and finishes fourth in the PSAC Central with a 4-11 division mark. Clarion ends the year at 6-19 overall and 1-14 in PSAC Central play.