MANSFIELD – If 70 percent of the earth is covered by water, the other 30 percent is covered by senior Joelle Snyder.

The senior shortstop was all over the field on Friday afternoon and combatted her defensive effort by going 5-for-7 with two home runs (including the game-winner), while scoring three runs and driving in six to lead the Mansfield University softball team to a split with Shippensburg University on April 23 at Helen Lutes Field. The Mounties came from behind to win game two, 6-4 after falling in the opener, 5-3.

In game two, the Mounties (3-19, 3-19 PSAC East) immediately erased an early 1-0 Raider (20-14, 14-12 PSAC East) lead in the bottom of the first when Snyder connected for her first home run of the day, a two-run shot to right center to put MU up one.

However, the Raiders scored two in the second and one in the third to regain the lead at 4-2.

Freshman Anastasia Berardi kicked off the Mountaineer comeback efforts in the fifth with a walk. Junior Rebecca Pizzo pinch ran for her and later scored after sophomore Madison Morrett doubled and senior Alex Hein singled. Next stepped in Snyder, who cleared the bases with what turned out to be the game-winning three-run bomb to deep right center to give the Mounties a 6-4 lead.

Junior Alexis Easling did not allow a run after the third inning, while only allowing two hits the rest of the way to allow the Mounties to claw their way back and earn the win.

Snyder led the way in game two, going 3-for-3 with five RBI, two homers and two runs scored. Hein added an RBI and Morrett doubled.

In the opener, the Mounties didn't wait long to get the scoring going, plating three runs in the top of the first thanks to an RBI double by Snyder and a two-run big fly by junior Hannah Swartz.

The Raiders cut the lead to one with a pair of two-out runs in the top of the third.

Sophomore Danielle Goff settled in for the Mounties, putting up zeros until the Raiders scored the equalizer in the fifth and added two runs in the sixth to take a 5-3 lead.  

The Mounties best chance came in the next half inning when they loaded the bases with none down, but the Raiders followed with three consecutive outs to strand the runners on.

After entering the game in the bottom of the second, Raider's Maelynn Leber scattered five Mountaineer hits and did not allow a run to earn the victory. Courtney Coy homered and Alyssa Nehlen drove in two runs to lead the Raiders.

Swartz hit her third home run of the season and Snyder finished 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI to highlight the MU offense. Goff battled through seven innings, allowing five runs in the losing effort.

The Mountaineers conclude their series with the Raiders tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, April 24 for a noon PSAC East doubleheader at Robb Field.