FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pratt's gem gives Mansfield split with Barton in softball

Game Two Boxscore
Game One Boxscore

WILSON, NC – Kate Pratt threw a three-hit shutout in the nightcap and Kaitlyn Harris drove in the game's only run to lead Mansfield to a 1-0 win over Barton College and a split of a NCAA Division II doubleheader in Wilson, NC Sunday afternoon.

Barton won the opener 4-1.

In the nightcap, Pratt locked-up in a pitching dual with Barton's Kendal Street with each pitcher going the distance and only allowing three hits each.

Neither team managed a hit until Barton led off the bottom of the third with singles by Autumn Pittman and Alex Baylis. But Pratt struck out leadoff hitter Elizabeth Webb and got the next two batters to ground out to end the threat.

Pratt then helped her own cause by leading off the top of the fourth with a single. With one out, Pratt was erased when freshman Courtney Bauder hit into a fielder's choice.  Bauder then stole second before sophomore Kaitlyn Harris singled down the right field line to score Bauder with what would prove to be the game's only run.

Pratt then retired the next 12 Barton batters in a row to earn her second win of the season. The sophomore struck out seven and walked none while allowing just three hits with none  of them coming after the third inning.

Pratt also went 2-3 with a double to lead the offense.

In the opener, Barton broke up a scoreless game in the bottom of the fourth, scoring the day's first run on a double by Rebecka Morgan.

Barton added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth with two of them coming off an error with two outs.

Mansfield tried to rally in the top of the seventh when Pratt led off the inning with a single. After an out, Chrissy Lauer doubled down the left field line moving Pratt to third. Danielle Long then lifted a sacrifice fly to center plating a run and cutting the lead to 4-1. Freshman Courtney Baer walked giving Mansfield runners on first and third with two outs but Barton pitcher Emily Jordan got a called third strike on a full count to end the game.

Chrissy Lauer went 2-3 with two doubles with Pratt picking up Mansfield's other hit. Caitlin Kolbosits took the loss allowing seven hits and striking out three over five innings.

Mansfield improves to 4-2 on the season and travels Shaw University for a doubleheader on Tuesday.