WISE, Va. – The Mansfield Mountaineers softball team (0-2) opened their 2025 season with an opening weekend tournament in Virginia, hosted by Virginia Wise University. The Mounties dropped game one against UVA Wise (9-5), 3-0, and dropped game two to Lees-McRae College (2-13) by a score of 12-2.

Sarah Shupp led the way for the Mounties with three hits on the day and a .500 batting average, including a double. Olivia Ackerson also went .500 to open the season and picked up an RBI in game two.

Annabella Putnam finished her first complete game in her first appearance, striking out five batters on the afternoon. 

GAME 1: UVA Wise 3 – Mansfield 0

Annabella Putnam blasted four strikeouts past the six batters, but the Cavaliers also halted the Mounties as the first hit of the contest came in the top of the fourth from Caydence Macik.

Things picked up in the bottom of the fourth when UVA Wise started off their first four reaching base, scoring two runs off three hits and an error to start with the early advantage. 

The host added another run in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI triple to take the 3-0 edge. 

Mansfield challenged the Cavaliers in the final inning with runners in scoring position, but the host held it together to come out with the 3-0 victory. 

In addition to Macik, Alex Reisinger and Ackerson each registered a hit for the Mountaineers.

GAME 2: Lees-McRae 12 – Mansfield 2 (6 innings)

Lees-McRae began with an early scare, pushing out a runner on third before Katelyn Mesch threw down the final out, catching another runner at second.  

Shupp earned her first hit of the season with a double in the bottom of the first. 

The Bobcats used their early pressure as an opportunity in their three-run second inning, starting with the bases jammed and one out. A bases-loaded walk scored the first run, followed by an RBI single and a groundout to start the 3-0 advantage for Lees-McRae.

Mansfield gained a run from a wild pitch that scored pinch runner Rachel Sherman after Mesch singled and advanced to second base, but Lees-McRae still held the 3-1 edge after the second inning. 

The red and black added another run in the bottom of the fourth off an Ackerson at-bat that scored Aubrey Reinert to cut the deficit to 3-2. 

After an empty fourth inning, the Bobcats took control of the game, exploding for a six-run, four-hit fifth inning to bring their lead to 9-2. 

Five hits and three doubles helped end game two early for Lees-McRae, finishing the top of the sixth with three more runs to cement the 12-2 win. 

Shupp finished the day with a perfect 3 for 3 performance and a double.

UP NEXT: 
Mansfield finishes their opening weekend on Saturday (Mar. 1) with the same opponents, with the team facing Lees-McRae first and ending the tournament with UVA Wise. First pitch for game one against the Bobcats is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by game two with the Cavaliers expected to start at 3 p.m.