Mounties Come Up Short in Shaw Challenge Finale

RALEIGH, NC – Winston-Salem scored twice in the bottom of the first inning and Mansfield stranded runners in scoring position four times in dropping a 3-1 decision in the Mountaineers final game at the Shaw Softball Challenge Sunday afternoon in Raleigh, NC.

Melanie Taylor opened the game with a double down the left field line and later advanced to third before being tagged out at home in the top of the first inning.

Winston-Salem loaded the bases on two straight singles and a walk to start the bottom half of the inning. Mansfield pitcher Ashley Inman then struck out the next two batters before a two-out single by Idaysha Quinones plated the first two runs of the game.

Inman singled through the right side to open the third inning but was out at second when Kaitlyn Hewitt reached on a fielder's choice. Hewitt would advance to second later in the inning but couldn't score.

Mansfield cut the lead in half in the fifth when Kayla Hahn led off with a single. Laura Lawson pinch ran for Hahn and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hannah Secord. Inman then singled up the middle and Lawson scored off a throwing error from the outfield to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Mountaineers threatened again in the sixth inning with Amanda Goodwin delivering a one-out single followed by a single from Rachael Sterner. Goodwin, who took second on the single, moved up to third when Megan Miller reached on a fielder's choice giving the Mountaineers runners on first and third with two outs but Mansfield couldn't get the tying run across the plate.

Winston-Salem picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Rebecca Demko doubled to open the inning followed by a RBI triple by Katherine Zimmer.

Inman, throwing her third complete-game in three days, scattered six hits while striking out six in picking up the loss. She also led the offense with two hits.
Mercedes Hargett went the distance to pick up the win for Winston-Salem.

Mansfield is off on Monday and will play a doubleheader at St. Augustine's on Tuesday.