EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Junior Alexis Easling and senior Hannah Breitigan combined to drive in eight runs to lead the Mansfield University softball team to a split with East Stroudsburg University on the road on Saturday afternoon, March 20.

Breitigan scored twice, notched her second double of the day and knocked in two runs, while Easling finished 3-for-3 with her first home run of the season and four RBI to lead the Mounties (1-5, 1-5 PSAC East) to an 8-6 victory in the nightcap.

Sophomore Danielle Goff (1-2) earned her first win in 2021, throwing six and 1/3 innings, allowing five earned and striking out four.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fifth, senior Joelle Snyder drew a bases-loaded walk to plate junior Rebecca Pizzo to get the Mounties on the board. Easling followed by driving in senior Alex Hein and Breitgan, while junior Hannah Swartz capped off the four-run fifth with another single to center to put MU ahead 4-2.

ESU cut the lead in half with a run in the fifth, but the Mountaineers used their best offensive outburst of the season, scoring four runs in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 8-3. McGinley and Hein walked and scored on another Breitigan double to jump start the rally. Easling launched a big fly over the left field wall to score Breitigan and move the Mountie total to eight.

East Stroudsburg strung together three runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh to threaten, but freshman Maddy Jean recorded the final two outs after relieving Goff to secure the victory.

Leigh Ann Jenkins was handed the loss for ESU, allowing eight runs in five and 2/3 innings. Molly Nies was 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead the Warriors' offense.

In game two, ESU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Mounties responded with three runs in the second to take a 3-1 lead. Junior Meghan McGinley scored after O'Donnell reached on an error and Breitigan followed with a triple, plating Hein and O'Donnell.

However, ESU cut the lead to one in the fourth and ESU's Rachel Seiverd connected on a two-run homer in the sixth to secure the victory.

Breitigan continued her hot start at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBI. Snyder was also 2-for-3 with a triple.

Easling (0-3) was dealt the loss, allowing four earned in six complete and striking out two. Marah Range earned the win for the Warriors, allowing three earned in the complete game.

The Mounties return to Helen Lutes Field for the first time in over two years when they host the Warriors in PSAC East action for a 1 and 3 p.m. doubleheader.