MANSFIELD, Pa – On a day that started at 78 and sunny and ended with a thunderstorm, the Mansfield University softball team fell twice to West Chester University, 9-6, 7-2 (6 innings; Lightning) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East action, on Wednesday afternoon, April 28 at Helen Lutes Field.

In the opener, West Chester started the scoring with a run in the first, but opened things up in the second when they tacked on six runs to lead 7-0.

Junior Alexis Easling settled in on the mound, keeping the Golden Rams (20-12, 16-12 PSAC East) scoreless through the next three innings.

However, the Golden Rams extended their lead to nine in the sixth, but the Mounties (3-25, 3-25 PSAC East) batted around and rallied for six runs in the bottom half to cut the deficit to three. Senior Hannah Breitigan, Easling (2B), sophomore Danielle Goff, sophomore Maddison Morrett, junior Lacey O'Donnell and senior Joelle Snyder all recorded hits in the inning and the Mounties took advantage of three Golden Rams' errors. O'Donnell drove a line drive up the middle that plated three runs to cap off the rally.  

The Mounties got the leadoff on in the seventh, but West Chester followed with three consecutive outs to secure the win.

Madison Melvin was 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI to lead the Golden Rams' offense. Jen Hanshaw earned her ninth win on the mound, allowing six runs (five earned) in the complete-game.

In game two, the Golden Rams started the scoring again with a pair of runs in the first.

West Chester added another run in the second, but the Mounties cut the lead back to two after Goff drove in Easling in the bottom half of the inning.

West Chester plated another two runs in the third to extend their lead to 5-1.

Both teams were scoreless through the next two innings until West Chester added an additional two runs in the top of the sixth and Mansfield added a solo run when freshman Anastasia Berardi connected for her first home run of her career.

The Mounties recorded an out in the seventh before the game was called due to lightning.

Goff and Berardi drove in runs to lead the Mountaineer offense. Goff was handed the loss on the mound, allowing seven runs (five earned) in five innings.

Mary Picozzi earns the win for WCU, allowing two runs in six innings. Trisha Kopinetz led the Golden Rams' offense with two RBI and a homer.

The Mounties are back in action on Friday, April 30 when they travel to Millersville University for a PSAC East doubleheader, beginning at 2 p.m.