Box Score

KUTZTOWN, PA - The Crimson Hawks gave up just two hits and no runs through the first four innings but West Virginia State put together scoring innings in the fifth and seventh as IUP fell 5-0 in the opening game of the 2012 NCAA Division II Softball Atlantic Regional on Friday afternoon in Kutztown.

It was a pitcher's duel through the first four innings, as Kelly King (Nazareth/Bethlehem Catholic) and West Virginia State's Kelsey Lorraine combined to give up just one hit.

The Crimson Hawks were the first to get an early chance at scoring in the bottom of the third, when Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) drew a walk to lead off. She would later steal second and two batters and two outs later, Monica Iachini (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) followed her with another walk. IUP continued to push Lorraine, as Megan McCormick (Evans City/Seneca Valley) also walked to load the bases but the Crimson Hawks couldn't take advantage as West Virginia State got out of the inning without any harm done.

IUP again had a good scoring chance in the fourth as Mary Ward (Hatfield/North Penn) forced a walk, stole second and later advanced to third on a wild pitch, but the Yellow Jackets again got out of it unscathed.

West Virginia State got its first runs in the fifth, starting the inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases, followed by another single that brought two home. A sacrifice bunt moved the two remaining runners into scoring position until an infield single again loaded the bases. King would pitch IUP out of the jam, though, first getting a force out at home on a grounder to Marissa Leslie (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) at short, followed by another ground out to Ward at third to end the inning.

The bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth each went 1-2-3, but again IUP threatened in the bottom of the sixth, starting with a two-out single by Tara Waldo (Pittsburgh/Baldwin). Ward then drew another walk to put a pair on, but for a third time Lorraine and West Virginia State got out of the jam to leave IUP scoreless.

The Yellow Jackets added three more in the top of the seventh, including a solo homer and a pair of run-scoring hits to take the five-run lead before getting IUP 1-2-3 in the seventh for the victory.

With the loss, IUP drops down into the loser's bracket and will play Winston-Salem State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in an elimination game. West Virginia State advances to play Kutztown on Saturday morning, which defeated Winston-Salem State 1-0 on Friday afternoon.