NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Senior Alexis Easling and junior Danielle Goff allowed just one earned run in a combined 16 innings, while sophomore Kayla Vonstein totaled four hits to lead the Mansfield University softball team to a split in a pair of non-conference games on Thursday afternoon March 17 at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. The Mounties fell, 3-2 in a nine-inning thriller to Medaille College, before rebounding to upend Rutgers Newark, 3-0.
 
In game two of the day against Rutgers Newark (2-4 overall), Easling dominated from start to finish, tossing a complete-game shutout with a season-high eight strikeouts, while only surrendering two hits.

Vonstein and senior Hannah Swartz each belted out two hits, while senior Abbey Woodard added a two RBI double.

The Mounties scored all of their runs in the top of the sixth, bringing seven hitters to the plate and using two hits and one opposing error. Easling walked and Swartz was hit by a pitch to set up first and second with no one out. Vonstein beat out a sacrifice bunt, which allowed pinch runner senior Rebecca Pizzo to come around to score after the first baseman could not handle the throw. Rutgers Newark got two outs in a row, before Woodard burnt the left fielder to clear the bases with a double.

The Mounties carried the 3-0 lead all the way to the finish as Easling retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh.

Jackie Lara landed the loss for Rutgers Newark, allowing three runs in seven innings and striking out a game-high 11 hitters.

In game one, Goff continuously mowed through the Mavericks' lineup and the Mounties put runners on in every inning leading up to the fifth, but neither team could break through.

Medaille (7-1 overall) showed their first signs of danger in the top of the fifth, working runners to second and third, but Goff struck out her fifth hitter to work out of the jam.

The Mavericks put a runner on first again in the sixth, but a Goff turned a smooth double play with Blackstone to again put the rally to bed.

The Mounties rode that momentum into their half of the sixth, breaking through for the go-ahead run after Vonstein ripped a single up the middle to score freshman Katelyn Mesch from second base to take a 1-0 lead. Mesch pinch ran for Easling who reached on a hit-by-pitch to lead off the inning.

However, down to their final out with the tying run on second, the Mavericks' plated the equalizer with a single just past the outreached glove of a diving O'Donnell.

The Mountaineers' defense continued to shine in the top of the eighth, turning their third double play of the contest to halt yet another Mavericks' scoring threat.

After stranding the winning runner at third in the bottom of the eighth, the Mavericks used two hits and took advantage of one Mountaineer error to push across two runs to take a 3-1 lead.

The Mounties cut the lead in half in the bottom of the ninth when Vonstein drove in Pizzo with a sacrifice fly, but Medaille stranded the tying run on first to seal the victory.

Goff (2-2) was charged with just one run in nine innings while striking out seven. The junior went nine innings during her second start in a row on the week. Vonstein drove in both Mountaineer runs and added a pair of hits to lead the offense.

Medaille's Alexis Algui earned the victory on the mound, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits in nine-complete innings.  Kylie Lyons led the offense with a pair of hits and RBI.

The Mounties conclude their spring break schedule in Myrtle Beach tomorrow, Friday, March 18 when they take on Westminster College (Pa.) at 9:30 a.m. before battling Keene State University at 11:30 a.m.