Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

LOCK HAVEN, PA - Four runs in the fourth inning of game one helped propel the Crimson Hawks to a 6-3 win as IUP earned a split with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division rival Lock Haven in a key softball doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. The Bald Eagles rallied for a 4-0 victory in game two.

The Crimson Hawks struck first in game one, starting with a two-out walk by Megan McCormick (Evans City/Seneca Valley). Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) earned IUP's second straight walk to put two runners on, setting up Tara Waldo (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) who singled to right field, bringing home McCormick as the Crimson Hawks took a 1-0 lead.

Starter Kelly King (Nazareth/Bethlehem Catholic) kept the Bald Eagles off the scoreboard through the first four innings, tossing a one-hitter and not allowing a runner to get past first base.

IUP's big fourth inning began with a leadoff single to center by Waldo, followed by a walk from Mary Ward (Hatfield/North Penn) to put two runners on. After a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Strack (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) put a pair in scoring position, Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) doubled down the left field line, scoring both to put IUP ahead 3-0.

Four batters later with the bases loaded an two outs, McCormick stepped to the plate and singled to center, scoring both McCoy and Jen Beaver (Chester Springs/Owen J. Roberts) to make the score 5-0. The inning would end, however, as Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) tried to go from first to third after the throw home, but was called out at third base.

The Crimson Hawks added one more in the fifth as Mitchell led off the inning with a solo homer.

Lock Haven attempted a comeback, getting on the board in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on three hits, narrowing the gap to four. The Bald Eagles then got an RBI double in the sixth to make it 6-3, but after a 1-2-3 IUP seventh, King put Lock Haven down in order to finish off the game to get the win.

IUP tallied eight hits in game one, getting two each from McCormick and Waldo. McCormick finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored while Waldo went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. King moved to 12-5 on the year with the complete game win, striking out two and allowing six hits with three earned runs.

The Crimson Hawks couldn't get much going in game two, falling behind in the second as Lock Haven scored three runs on three hits, capitalizing on three IUP errors.

McCoy, who got the start in the circle for IUP, kept the Bald Eagles honest, allowing five more hits but just one run over the final five innings, but the Crimson Hawks offense couldn't get much going as they mustered just three hits in the loss. McCoy went six innings, striking out three and walking four, as just one of the four runs given up were earned.

The Crimson Hawks, now 19-11-1 on the year, 6-4 in the PSAC Central, are two games back of Bloomsburg for first in the division and one game ahead of both Mansfield and Lock Haven, each with identical 5-5 marks.

IUP will host the division-leading Huskies on Friday in another important conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.