Mounties Edged in a Pair at Lock Haven

LOCK HAVEN – Mansfield got strong pitching performances from Ashley Inman and Laura Knight but struggled to score runs in dropping a pair of close games at Lock Haven in a PSAC East doubleheader Sunday afternoon.

Mansfield lost the opener 2-1 despite a terrific effort from Inman and fell 3-0 nightcap with Lock Haven scoring all three runs in the final two at-bats in the nightcap.

In the opener, Lock Haven drew first blood when Nicole Smith doubled with one out and later score when she was ruled safe at the plate on a double steal.

Mansfield tied the game in the third when Rachel Sterner drew a walk to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kayla Hahn. Lawson then advanced to third on a wild pitch but the Mountaineers could push the go-ahead run across.

Lock Haven scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fourth off an error.

The Mountaineers had a chance to tie the game in the sixth when Courtney Bauder led off with a double to left field but was stranded at third.

Inman, throwing her third complete game in three days, was strong in the circle striking out four and not allowing a walk.

Rachel Mouillessiaux picked up the win giving up just two hits and striking out nine.

In the nightcap, Knight allowed just two hits over the first four innings and held the Bald Eagles scoreless until the fifth inning when McKenna Garlock drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Lock Haven added two more in the bottom of the sixth on a double by Gabrielle Henson.

Mansfield tried to rally in the seventh when Amanda Goodwin and Taylor Chidester hit back-to-back singles with one out before Jessie Probst pitched her way out of the jam.
Chidester went 3-4 to lead the offense.

Mansfield host Bloomsburg in a PSAC East doubleheader on Tuesday at Helen Lutes Field starting at 2:30 p.m.