Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

INDIANA, PA - The Crimson Hawks routed Bloomsburg 12-4 in game two, scoring nine runs in the second inning to take control early, rallying from a 2-1 loss in the opener as IUP split with the Huskies in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division softball doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Podbielski Field.

With Bloomsburg leading 3-0 in the bottom of the second, Ashley Strack (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) started things off by reaching first on an error by the Huskies. Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) followed that with a walk as each then advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Kaylee Prendergast (West Chester/Villa Maria Academy). With a pair of runners in scoring position, Marissa Leslie (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) doubled through a hole on the left side, taking advantage of slow play by the Huskies to race to second as Strack crossed the plate.

Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) grounded to third, forcing a fielder's choice as she reached first and all runners were safe, loading the bases with just one out. Megan McCormick (Evans City/Seneca Valley) then worked a walk to force a runner home, but Leslie came around to score too, as lackadasical play by the Huskies allowed for her to steal home while Iachini moved over to third.

Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) followed that up with an RBI single to right, scoring Iachini as IUP took its first lead of the day, 4-3.

The Crimson Hawks (20-12-1, 7-5) weren't done as Mary Ward (Hatfield/North Penn) singled up the middle, advancing to second on the throw home as McCormick scored from second. After a pitching change and the second out of the inning, Strack stepped to the plate and for the second time in the inning reached on an error as a pair of IUP runners scored to put the Crimson Hawks ahead 7-3.

With Strack on first, McCoy stepped to the plate and blasted a homerun off the scoreboard in left center to complete the scoring for IUP, which led 9-3 after the inning.

The Huskies (27-9, 9-3) picked up a run in the third on an RBI double to right center, but IUP responded in the bottom half. Leslie led off the inning with a walk before stealing second. Iachini also walked to put two runners on and three batters later, Ward was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Tara Waldo (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) forced another walk to bring one runner home before Strack slapped a single through the left side, scoring both Waldo and Ward as IUP took the eight run lead.

Starter Kelly King (Nazareth/Bethlehem Catholic) then did her job, getting two straight scoreless innings to finish off the Huskies with the eight-run rule victory.

King picked up the complete game victory to move to 13-6 on the year, allowing seven hits and four earned in five innings. IUP had seven hits, capitalizing on three Bloomsburg errors and getting on base an addition seven times via walks and hit batters. Iachini had two of those seventhis, going 2-for-3 with two runs. Seven different players scored for IUP, including two each by Iachini, Leslie, Strack, Ward and McCoy.

The Huskies kept IUP at bay in game one, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before scoring the first run of the game on an RBI single, scoring two.

The Crimson Hawks got a run back in the sixth, as Iachini singled, advancing to second on a throwing error. Two batters later, Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) knocked a double over the center fielder's head, scoring Iachini to make it a 2-1 game.

IUP did get a runner on in the seventh, but with two outs couldn't get much going as Huskies starter Cait Paine finished off the win for Bloomsburg.

The Crimson Hawks managed just four hits in the defeat as King went the distance in the loss, striking out four and giving up two earned runs. 

IUP remains two games back of the Huskies in the Central Division, tied with Mansfield for second place with four games left to play. The Crimson Hawks will get a chance to break that tie on Sunday as they travel to face the Mountaineers, first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.