FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties Split with Assumption to take Weekend Series
 
CARY, N.C. – Chase Pepper pitched a complete-game gem to lead Mansfield to a 6-1 win in game one as Mansfield took the four-game weekend series with a split against Assumption on Sunday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
 
The Mountaineers belted out seven hits in game two, but were only able to produce one run in an 8-1 loss.
 
Mansfield improved its record to 5-2 on the season after winning three-of-four games against Assumption (1-3, 0-0 NE-10) this weekend.
 
Both sides put baserunners on through the first three innings, but neither team could push a run across. Mansfield opened the top of the fourth with three straight singles from Scott Rockwell, Zephan Kash, and Matt Kurelja. However, the first run of the game was called back to third due to an interference call at second base as Assumption turned a double play. The threat was neutralized with a lineout to end the inning.
 
Eric Harms broke the scoreless tie in the fifth, with a two-run homer to left field. It was the junior's first home run of his career.
 
Singles by Kurelja and Tanner Kline in the sixth put runners at the corners to set up an RBI double by Wes Custer. Facing one out with a pair of runners in scoring position, Owen Lukens launched a no-doubter over the trees in left field to extend the Mountaineers lead to 6-0. The homer was also Lukens first of his career.
 
Mansfield conceded an unearned run in the bottom of the inning.
 
Pepper was stellar on the mound once again to earn his second win of the season. The sophomore struck out 10 batters through 7.0 innings, allowing just five hits and one walk.
 
Starting pitcher Kyle Chudoba took the loss for the Greyhounds.
 
Taylor Hillson went 3-4 at the plate with Kurelja and Custer each recording a pair of hits.
 
In game two, Assumption opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles before Mike Coggeshall stroked a two-RBI double. Coggeshall scored on a sac fly in the next at bat to give Assumption a 3-0 lead.
 
Scott Rockwell recorded the first hit of the game for the Mountaineers in the fourth and moved into scoring position with a walk by Kash. However, Mansfield was unable to capitalize.
 
Assumption put together five runs on five hits and an error in the bottom of the fourth to jump out to an 8-0 advantage.
 
Lukens opened the fifth with a lead-off triple and scored on a wild pitch to put Mansfield on the board.
 
The Mountaineers were unable to put together a come-from-behind win and dropped their first game of the weekend.
 
The Greyhounds' Mike Curtis had a solid outing, pitching 5.2 innings with six hits and one earned run for the win. Curtis fanned six batters and walked one.
 
Billy Rummings took the loss for Mansfield. Freshman Evan McAndrew was solid in his collegiate debut, striking out three of four batters faced in the seventh.
 
Mansfield travels to Clearwater, Fla. For seven games over spring break starting with Upper Iowa on March 6.