MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Mansfield University softball team will continue their eight-game week when West Chester University comes to town on Wednesday, April 26 for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference doubleheader at Helen Lutes Field. The Mounties then travel to Millersville University on Friday, April 30 before hosting the Marauders on Saturday, May 1.

The doubleheader with West Chester will be played at 1 and 3 p.m. The doubleheader on Friday at Millersville will begin at 2 p.m., while the home twinbill on Saturday will start at 1 p.m.

 The series with the Marauders will conclude the 2021 campaign for the Mounties. Millersville is not allowing visiting fans or the general public at home athletic events this spring.

Fans are permitted at Helen Lutes Field on Wednesday and Saturday under the following stipulations.

Fans are encouraged to take advantage of Mountaineer All-Access live broadcast and live statistics, available at gomounties.com.

THE MARATHON CONTINUES
Due to a variety of postponements, the Mountaineers will play a total of eight games this week to wrap up the season.

The Mounties have come up just short of a handful of nail biters as of late, falling in the final innings by two or fewer runs in eight of their previous seven games.

HITTING IS CONTAGIOUS
The Mountaineer offense has been red-hot over the past two weeks and have four players rise their batting averages above .300.

Senior Joelle Snyder leads the way, carrying a .345 (29-for-84) average into the weekend, with 16 runs, six doubles, three triples, two homers and a team-leading 16 RBI.

Junior Lacey O'Donnell and senior Alex Hein have been the straws that stir the drink at the top of the Mountaineer order. O'Donnell is batting .343 and has a hit in 12 of the last 13 games, while Hein is batting .323 and has a hit in seven of the previous eight.

Senior Hannah Breitigan continues her best hitting season as a Mountaineer, batting .329 with a career-high 27 hits, team-leading eight doubles, one triple and 14 RBI.

Although the records do not show, junior Alexis Easling and sophomore Danielle Goff have been bull dogs on the mound this season, combining for 133.2 innings and 11 complete games.

SCOUTING OPPONENTS
Team: West Chester Golden Rams
Overall Record: 18-12

PSAC East Record: 14-12

All-Time Record vs. MU: 45-34, First meeting 1989

Postseason Watch: The Golden Rams are currently on the outside looking in of the PSAC postseason, sitting two games back of Shippensburg.

Head Coach: Diane Lokey, 18^th season

Players to Watch: Bri Garber leads the way for the Rams' offense with a .453 (48-for-106) batting average with 31 runs, 10 doubles and three triples. Jen Hanshaw and Mary Picozzi both have had wins for the Golden Rams' pitching staff, while Hanshaw has the team-low ERA of 4.73.

Team: Millersville Marauders

Overall Record: 19-17

PSAC East Record: 12-16

All-Time Record vs. MU: 28-49, dating back to 1989

Postseason Watch: Millersville is on the outside looking in to reach the PSAC postseason. The Marauders currently reside in sixth place, four games out of the fourth and final playoff slot.

Head Coach: Jenn Probst, six seasons

Players to Watch: Faith Willenbrock has been a powerhouse for the Marauders. She is hitting .452 (52-for-115 on the season with 18 home runs, 39 RBI, three triples, six doubles and 35 runs. She ranks second in the conference in hits and average, is tied for the lead in homers and third in RBI. Morgan Crutcher is 7-7 in 35 appearances, showcasing a 4.14 ERA. Crutcher has tossed four complete games in 94.2 innings, striking out 53.

FROM THE ARCHIVES
On This Date
April, 28 (2019): CLINCHED! Softball Secures First PSAC Playoff Berth Since 2014

Mansfield University softball clinched its first PSAC Playoff berth since the 2014 season.

The Mounties vaulted themselves into sole possession of third place in the PSAC Central division with a doubleheader sweep of Pitt-Johnstown. Mansfield got some help to secure the playoff berth with Pitt-Johnstown defeating IUP 4-3 in the first game of a doubleheader.

April, 30 (2019): Snyder Tabbed PSAC Central Athlete of the Week

Mansfield University's Joelle Snyder has been named PSAC Central Athlete of the Week after an impressive string of performances to help the Mountaineers clinch a PSAC Playoff berth.

Snyder batted .520 over a seven-game span with nine of her 13 hits going for extra bases. The sophomore belted three doubles, a pair of triples, and four home runs to post an incredible 1.280 slugging pct. She totaled 11 runs and 13 RBIs and drew three walks.

NEXT UP
The weekend series with Millersville will conclude the 2021 season for the softball program.