QUAKERTOWN, Pa. - An RBI single by Mackenna Miller (Milton, Pa. /Milton) in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the game-winner as the Crimson Hawks defeated Slippery Rock 2-1 in the first elimination game of the 2016 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Softball Championships on Wednesday afternoon at Veterans Park. 

IUP (28-18) remains alive in the conference tournament and will face Kutztown in another elimination game on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. 

With the bases loaded in the sixth, Miller's swinging bunt looked to bounce foul but spun back fair as Amy Fairman (Creekside, Pa. /Marion Center) scored from third base. IUP still had the bases loaded with one out, but Slippery Rock took advantage of an infield grounder to get the force at home before a fly out ended the inning.

Lauren Zola (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle) then breezed through the next two innings in the circle, allowing just one SRU base runner the rest of the way to secure the Crimson Hawks' win.
 
She received a little help from Miller behind the plate in the sixth, as the fast reacting catcher picked off Emily Nagle at first base after getting too much of a lead. The pick off ended small SRU threat and the inning.
 
Zola struck out five and scattered five hits in the win, her 12th of the season.
 
The Crimson Hawk picked up the first run of the game on a solo shot by Amanda Parrish (Dysart, Pa./Altoona) over the fence in left center to lead off the second. SRU tied things up in the fifth, getting back-to-back doubles to start the inning. The Rock threatened for more, loading the bases with two outs, but Zola got out of the jam by getting Kailey Myers to strike out looking.
 
For up-to-date game information, visit www.IUPAthletics.com and follow IUP softball on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUP_Softball.