Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

 MURFREESBORO, NC - Robbie Zinsmeister (Hatfield/North Penn) was 4-for-6 on the day with a homer,  two RBI and five runs scored, but two late rallies fell short as the IUP baseball team opened up the 2012 season with a pair of tough losses to Chowan Saturday afternoon.

Crimson Hawks ace Greg Stewart (Kittanning/Elderton) was sharp in his first appearance on the hill in game one, allowing just three hits in 3.2 scoreless innings. Stewart did walk five batters, but countered with five strikeouts.

IUP would get on the board early, as Zinsmeister led off the game with a triple to right center. The very next batter was Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown), who would bring home Zinsmeister with a single to give the Crimson Hawks a quick 1-0 lead.

The Crimson Hawks would extend their lead in the top of the fifth, when Dylan Songer (Baden/North Allegheny) knocked in Zinsmeister with a single to left field. The lead would not hold up, however as Chowan would respond with two runs in the bottom of the inning off of reliever Devin Doutt (Lower Burrell/Burrell).

After a scoreless sixth, the Crimson Hawks would punch back in the seventh when Zinsmeister smacked a home run over the wall in right center to tie the game at 2-2. two batters later, Troy Foster (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) would single to left to score Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) and give IUP a 3-2 lead.

Chowan would answer in the bottom of the inning yet again, however, as Justin Bagbey singled home a run to knot the game at 3-3. With two men on and one out, William Ward would complete the comeback with a walkoff double to right field that plated both runs.

Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in game one, while Songer went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Ward was 2-for-3 for Chowan, while Josh Catalano went 2-for-4.

Game two saw much more offensive for both teams, as the Crimson Hawks would once again strike in the top of the first. Zinsmeister led off the game with a single, and would later score when Songer doubled to right center. IUP would add another run in the inning when Matt Szukics (Hainesport, NJ/Rancocas Valley) singled to bring home Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown).

The lead would be short-lived however, as Chowan would erupt for six runs in the second inning on just four hits. They would extend the lead to 7-2 in the bottom of the fourth when Bagbey homered to right field, but the Crimson Hawks would answer in a big way.

IUP surged back into the lead with seven runs in the top of the fifth to take a 9-7 lead. Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) would get the scoring started with a double that plated Cory Sawka (Uniontown/Uniontown), and Troy Foster (Shamong, NJ/Seneca) would single home another run just moments later. The rally would continue when Aaron Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) would drive in two runs with a double to right field, and another run would score when Szukics was hit by a pitch to force in another run.

After Aaron Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) scored on a wild pitch, Zinsmeister would force home the seventh run in the inning when he was hit by a pitch as well.

Unfortunately for IUP, it was Chowan's turn for a big inning in the bottom of the sixth when they scored five runs on three hits to regain the lead. Catalano broke the game open when he nailed a three-run double to give Chowan a 12-9 lead heading into the seventh.

IUP would claw to within two when Brett Quiggle (Weedville/St. Marys) scored off of a David McNeill (Pittsburgh/Our Lady of Sacred Heart) ground out, but the rally would fall short, as Chowan would hold on for the 12-10 victory. Stephen Cooke (Severn, MD/Archbishop Curley) got the start on the mound for the Crimson Hawks and allowed three earned runs in three innings of work, but notched three strikeouts.

Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Foster went 2-of-4 with an RBI as well.

The Crimson Hawks are back in action tomorrow with another doubleheader against Chowan.