RELEASE DATE: 3/21/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CHRISTINE ROSS THROWS NO-HITTER AS MOUNTIES SWEEP VIRGINIA UNION

RICHMOND, VA – Freshman Christine Ross (Harrisburg/Central Dauphin) fired a no-hitter in the nightcap and Mansfield pounded out 23 runs in the opener in a 23-1, 10-0 sweep over Virginia Union Sunday afternoon in Richmond, VA.

Ross came within a batter of posting a perfect game in walking a batter in the fifth. She struck out six in improving to 4-1 on the season. Alison Tagliaferri (Linden/Jersey Shore) led the offensive attack going 3-3 from the plate with a triple and three RBI’s.

In the opener, the Mountaineers pounded out 18 hits to back up Amy Martino (Binghamton,NY/Chenango Valley) who scattered two hit while strikeout out 11 in her first start of the season.

Sophomore Stephanie Willever (Columbia Crossroads/Plunstead Christian) led the offense with three hits including two doubles and three RBI’s. Alexis Drebitko (Syracuse,NY/West Genesee), Jackie Laskowski (Olyphant/Mid Valley), Marissa Kosydar (Dickson City/Mid Valley), and Shannon McDonnell (Scranton/Bishop O’Hara) all had multi-hit games.

Mansfield improves to 11-3 overall open the PSAC East season when they travel to Shippensburg next Friday.

GAME ONE

Mansfield            591       62                     23-18-1
Virginia Union    000       01                     1-2-8

Mansfield (10-3): Amy Martino (W, 1-0) and Marissa Kosydar, Sytive Seitz (4)

2b – Stephanie Willever 2, Kristy Loomis, Marissa Kosydar, Jackie Laskowski

RBI – Willever 3, Kosydar 3, Jessica Nordblom 2, Alexis Drebitko 2, Laskowski, Martino

Virginia Union:  Jones (L) and Taylor

GAME TWO

Mansfield          721       00         10-11-0
Virginia Union    000       00         0-0-6

Mansfield (11-3): Christine Ross (W, 4-1) and Nancy Quinn

3b – Alison Tagliaferri

RBI – Tagliaferri 3, Tricia Bailey, Kriss Kelly, Quinn, Kay Canfield, Ross

Virginia Union : Jones (L) and Taylor