WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Mansfield University baseball team fell to Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division foe West Chester University, 13-4, on the road on Friday, March 18.

The Mounties drop to 6-9, 0-3 PSAC East, while the Rams improved to 13-2 overall and 4-0 PSAC East.

The Rams' struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second to take an early 2-0 lead.

However, the Mounties answered with two runs of their own in the top of the third to tie the game. Senior Samuel Freedman started the rally with a walk, before stealing second and later coming around to score on a passed ball to give the Mounties their first run. MU then plated the equalizer when sophomore Shay Gustafson singled to drive in junior Brittain Shander, who reached on a two-out triple.

The Mounties added a run in the fourth and fifth inning to extend their lead to 4-2. Senior Ben Osborne was driven in by senior Brady Mengel in the fourth, while Gustafson picked up his second RBI, driving in sophomore Marcus Nales with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

However, the Rams responded in a massive way, using six hits and taking advantage of one Mountie error to push across eight runs to regain the lead at 10-4.

The Rams added a run in the sixth and two more in the eight to extend the lead to nine and ultimately put the game out of reach.

Gustafson finished 1-for-3 with two RBI, Mengel drove in a run and Shander tripled to lead the Mountaineer offense. Sophomore Eric Gustofson was charged with the loss, tossing four and 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and striking out five. Junior Josh Colon threw an inning of scoreless relief.

For the Rams, Joe Messina earned the win on the mound, throwing 2 and 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out three. Mike Ferrara went 5-for-5 with a double, four runs and two RBI to power the offense.

The Mounties host the Rams for a noon doubleheader at Corning Community College on Sunday, March 20.