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. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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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.
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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.
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McGovern continues to have a hot bat, going 2-for-2 with a walk in game one.
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Easling (2-1) allowed one earned run on five hits through seven innings, notching her second win of the season.
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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.
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In game two, Franklin Pierce initiated the scoring with three runs in the first inning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Gina Hinckley was two-for-three with one run and two RBI for the Ravens.
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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.