FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Crandell almost perfect but Mounties drop 3-1 decision to Ohio Valley

Box Score

SALEM, VA – Mansfield University sophomore Emily Crandell threw six perfect innings but Ohio Valley used three hits in the fourth inning to beat Mansfield 3-1 in the first day of the West Virginia Wesleyan Tournament Friday evening in Salem, VA.

The loss snapped a six-game winning-streak for the Mountaineers.

Mansfield broke a scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the third. With one out, sophomore Stephanie Simmeth doubled to center and advanced to third on a ground out by Kaitlin Kramer. Kate Pratt than took a 1-1 pitch to right field for a run scoring single and a 1-0 Mountaineer lead.

Crandell was overpowering in the first three innings facing the minimum of nine batters, striking out seven of them.

Brittany Shepley led off the top of the fourth for Ohio Valley doubling on a 0-2 pitch. One out later, Donna Obryant singled in Shepley to tie the score. Sarah Simmons then reached base and Kelsey Graham delivered a two-out, two-run double to give OVU a 3-1 lead.

Crandell reverted back to her perfect form, retiring the next nine batters in a row, but the Mountaineer bats were stymied by OVU's Reagan Turner who was also perfect over the final four innings of the game.

Crandell finished the night striking out a career-high 10 batters while walking none and allowing three hits.

Simmeth and Courtney Bauder each had doubles and Pratt's RBI single were the highlights of the Mountaineers offensive attack.

Turner allowed just four hits and one earned run for Ohio Valley (8-4) striking out five.

Mansfield (9-3) takes on West Liberty at 11 a.m. on Saturday.