Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

INDIANA, PA -  Ashley Strack (Johnstown/Westmont Hilltop) rang in senior day with a tape-measure home run in game one, but the IUP softball team was unable to overcome a big day at the plate by Mansfield, dropping a pair of games to the Mountaineers Saturday at Podbielski field. The Crimson Hawks lost game one 7-6 before falling in game two by a score of 11-4.

In between games one and two Saturday, the Crimson Hawks honored seniors Jen Beaver (Chester Springs/Owen J. Roberts), Stef Poates (Yorktown, VA/Grafton) and Strack for their outstanding careers at IUP. The trio are the winningest senior class in program history, racking up an impressive record of 127-49-1. They've been a part of three NCAA tournament appearances and two consecutive PSAC championships.

MANSFIELD 7, IUP 6

Leading 6-3 heading into the sixth, the Crimson Hawks surrended four runs in the inning en route to a 7-6 loss in game one.

After giving up a pair of Mansfield runs in the top of the first, IUP stormed back with four runs in the first and two more in the second to take a commanding 6-2 lead after two. Strack got the scoring started in the first with an RBI single, and would break the game wide open with her massive homer in the second.

The Crimson Hawks looked poised for a victory heading into the sixth, but a solo home run from Chara Dixon and a three-run shot from Kate Pratt would vault the Mountaineers to a 7-6 lead.

Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) would look to kickstart an IUP rally with a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, but Mansfield reliever Ashley Inman would work out of the jam to earn the victory. Inman allowed just four hits in 5.1 scoreless innings in the circle, while Tara Senn (Eagle/Downington East) took the loss for the Crimson Hawks.

Strack went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored in game one, while Allison Viguers (West Chester/West Chester East) added a pair of hits and two runs batted in. Pratt powered the Mountaineers with three RBI and three runs scored. 

MANSFIELD 11, IUP 4

A Pratt grand slam in the top of the second and a bases-clearing double from Taylor Stupski in the fourth were too much to overcome as the Crimson Hawks fell 11-4 in game two.

IUP would once again use the long-ball to take an early lead, as Mitchell crushed a homer in the bottom of the first to give the Crimson Hawks a 2-1 lead after one.

The IUP advantage would be short-lived, however, as Mansfield posted six runs in the second to take a 7-2 lead after two. Pratt's grand slam to right center was the big hit in the inning, while Danielle Long and Courtney Bauder also had runs batted in.

The Mountaineers would tack on four more runs in the fourth thanks to a bases-loaded double from Stupski that would clear the bases and salt away the twinbill sweep.

Kaylee Prendergast (West Chester/Villa Maria Academy) went 3-for-4 with a run scored in game two, while Rachel Francis (Jefferson, OH/Jefferson) went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Pratt remained hot for Mansfield in game two, belting her second homer of the day en route to a four-RBI game.

With the loss, the Crimson Hawks fall to 20-15, 3-9 on the season, while Mansfield improves to 20-15, 6-4. IUP is back in action this Tuesday with a doubleheader at Clarion. First pitch in game one is set for 2:30 p.m.