FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pratt throws two-hitter and homers in opener of West Virginia Wesleyan Tournament

Box Score

SALEM, VA – Kate Pratt fired a two-hitter and belted a two-run home run to lead Mansfield to a 9-1 win over Davis & Elkins (WV) Friday afternoon in the opening game of the West Virginia Wesleyan Tournament in Salem, VA.

The game ended after the fifth inning on the eight-run rule.

Davis & Elkins got its only two hits of the game in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Mansfield tied the score in the bottom half of the inning when Courtney Bauder drew a base-loaded walk.

The two teams remained locked in a 1-1 tie until the bottom of the fourth inning when Stephanie Simmeth doubled with two outs and scored a single by Kaitlin Kramer. Pratt then blasted a shot over the left field fence to give Mansfield a 4-0 lead.

The Mountaineers put the game away in the bottom of the fifth with pinch-hitter Liz Pieniazek singling in two runs and Chrissy Lauer driving in two more runs with a single later in the inning.

Pratt retired the final 12 batters in a row and struck out nine while issuing no walks in improving to 4-0 on the season. Pratt also went 2-3 from the plate hitting her second home run of the season and driving in two runs. Kramer and Lauer also had two hits apiece.

Carissa Dunn drove in the only run for Davis & Elkins.

Mansfield improves to 9-2 on the season and will play Ohio Valley at 7 p.m. this evening.