Storm Holds off Lock Haven in Nightcap as Mounties Earn Split

LOCK HAVEN – Sierra Storm threw a complete-game and Megan Miller singled in what proved to be the winning run in the top of the seventh inning to lead Mansfield to a 4-3 win over Lock Haven in the nightcap of a PSAC Central doubleheader at Lawrence Field Saturday afternoon.

Lock Haven salvaged a split by winning the opener 4-0.

Mansfield turned in one of its best games of the season in game two, playing error-free ball and collecting ten hits in the game.

Melanie Taylor opened the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Koryn Wickwire. Rachael Sterner followed with a double to center to drive in Taylor with the first run of the game.

Mansfield doubled its lead with a run in the top of the fourth. Sterner led off with a single to left field before Miller reached on a fielder's choice putting runners at first and second. A single by Kayla Hahn loaded the bases with no outs. Freshman Leah McGovern then lifted a sacrifice fly to center to drive in Sterner and give Mansfield a 2-0 lead.

The Mountaineers increased their lead to 3-0 with a run in the top of the fifth. Casey Pearce led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor. Wickwire followed with a single to right field to score Pierce with the third run of the game.

Mansfield added one more run in the top of the seventh and it would prove to be the game-winner. With one out, Taylor singled up the middle and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After the second out of the inning, Sterner walked before Miller lined a single to right field to score Taylor giving Mansfield a 4-0 lead.

Storm had been exceptional in the circle all afternoon, limiting the Bald Eagles to just four hits over the first six inning but faced a jam in the bottom of the seventh.

Lock Haven leadoff batter Amanda Loar got an infield single to start of the inning. Storm struck our Bekah Slattery for the first out of the inning. Back-to-back singles by Gabrielle Henson and Bryann Hilty, who singled in Lock Haven's first run on a 0-2 count, closed the gap to 4-1.

A force out on a fielder's choice resulted in the second out of the inning with runners on first and second. Jodi Weaknecht then walked on 3-2 count to load the bases. McKenna Garlock then hit a liner just above the reach of the shortstop the drove in two runs making it a 4-3 game.

Head coach Edith Gallagher stayed with Storm and the sophomore, with the tying and winning runs on the bases, got Michelle Holweger to pop up to shortstop of a 3-1 count to preserve the win.

Storm was exceptional in recording perhaps her biggest win of her career. She struck out eight batters while walking three and kept Lock Haven off the scoreboard for six of the seven innings of the game to pick up her third win in four decisions this season. 73 of her 107 pitches on the day were for strikes.

Sterner, who extended her hitting-streak to five games, led the Mountaineers offense going 3-3 with a double and RBI. Taylor was 2-3 and scored two runs.

Garlock tripled and drove in two runs for Lock Haven. Rachel Mouillesseaux went the distance and took the loss for Lock Haven.

In the opener, Mansfield had trouble getting its offense untracked against Lock Haven starter Bekah Slattery.

The Mountaineers managed just four hits in the game including a double by Sterner. Slattery also hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning for Lock Haven.

Ashley Inman pitched well but took the loss for Mansfield. The senior scattered eight hits while striking out seven and walking two.

The Mountaineers will host Bloomsburg in their home opener this Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Helen Lutes Field.