SHIPPENSBURG - The Mansfield Mounties played some of their best baseball of the season on Sunday while earning a split of a doubleheader against the Shippenburg Raiders. 

In the opener, the Mounties were tied 2-2 going into the seventh inning before the Raiders were able to score the go-ahead run.  They started with a single to right field and then put down two bunts for base hits that moved runners around the bases.  Shippenburg's Jacob Pollock scored the winning run in the closely contested 3-2 ballgame.

The Mounties were able to get a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh but could not produce the tying run.  Tyler Guidos reached first base on a fielding miscue but was then caught stealing second base as he attempted to get into scoring position.  The game was back and forth from the outset with both teams scoring a run in the second inning.  The Raiders and the Mounties then scratched out just a single run through the next four innings before Shippenburg was able to pull off the win in the last inning. 

Jack Goertzen and Anthony Vavaroutsos both had a pair of hits for the Raiders.  Tommy Babbett and Scott Knotts had base hits which drove in runs for Shippenburg.  The Mounties were led by Brady Mengel who had two hits and a run scored.  Dom Lopez had a base hit, scored the Mounties other run, and also stole a base.  

Mansfield's starter Joseph DePerno pitched extremely well for all seven innings, striking out eight Raiders while only walking one batter.

GAME 2
In the second game, the Mounties earned a 5-4 victory playing in weather that was once again very wet and cool. The Shippenburg Raiders opened the scoring with a run in the top half of the inning by way of a homerun by their catcher Jack Goertzen.  Mansfield came back strong, however, with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The Mounties started with a single by Brittain Shandler, who then stole second base.  The score was soon tied by Brady Mengel's RBI double.  Eric Senior followed with a two-run homer to put Mansfield up 3-1.  

Shippenburg came right back in their next at bats tying the score 3-3 after two innings.  The Raiders' Jack Zoller and Logan Williamson each hit triples in the second inning.  Jack Goertzen had a very productive day getting two hits, both round trippers, driving in two, and scoring two runs.  His homer in the sixth inning produced the Raider's final run.

Bryce Zaparzynski sent the Raiders three-up, three-down in the top of the seventh to complete his seven-inning gem of a win. 

Mengel (2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored) and Senior (2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 run scored) offensively made the difference in securing the Mounties' win.  Zaparzynski pitched outstanding ball going all seven innings giving up just six hits, with five K's and only two walked batsmen.

The Mounties will finish their season with four games against the Kutztown Golden Bears, May 3-4.