NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Sophomore Alexis Easling hit a home run and earned the victory on the mound to lead the Mansfield University softball team to a split against Franklin Pierce University on day one of the spring break trip in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on Sunday afternoon, March 1. The Mounties took down the Ravens 3-1 in the opener before dropping game two, 5-3.                                                                     
 
Easling opened the scoring for the Mounties (2-4 overall) in game one with a solo home run deep to center field to make it 1-0 in the top of the second inning. The Ravens (5-1 overall) responded immediately in the bottom of the inning with a single to right field, but Lacey O'Donnell gunned out the runner attempting to steal an extra base to allow the Mounties to escape with just one run allowed.
 
The top of seventh opened up with senior Alli McGovern reaching first on a hit by pitch. Senior Deshae Jones followed with a single that moved McGovern to third. With McGovern on third and a stolen base by Jones to put runners in scoring position, Smith hit a shot to center field to drive in the game winning runs to give the Mounties their second win of the season.
 
McGovern continues to have a hot bat, going 2-for-2 with a walk in game one.
 
Easling (2-1) allowed one earned run on five hits through seven innings, notching her second win of the season.
 
Madison Labrie (2-1) was credited with the loss for the Ravens. Maiah Martinez (3-for-3) and Kaitlyn Rooney (2-for-3) led Franklin Pierce on offense.
 
In game two, Franklin Pierce initiated the scoring with three runs in the first inning.
 
The Mounties were able to get on the board with a Jones' (Deshae) single that drove O'Donnell in for a run in the third. Moving to the top of the inning however, the Ravens would tack on two more runs.
 
The Mounties were able to tighten the score in the bottom of the fourth with a Franklin Pierce error and Jones' (Devin) single in the fifth to drive in a run.
 
Mansfield was led by the Jones' sisters, with Devin going 3-for-4 with one RBI and Deshae, who driving in a run. O'Donnell added to the offense, going two-for-three with one run.
 
Freshman Danielle Goff (0-3) is credited with the loss. Senior Connor Decker saw her first action of the new year, allowing one run through 3.2 innings.
 
Gina Hinckley was two-for-three with one run and two RBI for the Ravens.
 
The Mountaineers head into day two of the Fast Pitch Spring Classic on Monday, March 2 as they face Eastern Mennonite University beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Mountaineers continue at Central Park Sports Complex in South Carolina at 1:30 p.m. when they face Chestnut Hill College.