Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
ERIE, PA – The Crimson Hawks used a pair of three-run innings in game one and an extra inning RBI single in game two to secure a doubleheader sweep over Mercyhurst in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West baseball action on Tuesday.
 
The Crimson Hawks entered the day with a 3-5 divisional mark but are now tied for fourth in the early season standing at an even 5-5. The Lakers had entered the day in a tie with Seton Hill atop the division but now fall to 7-3. IUP is 11-12 overall while Mercyhurst is 15-7.
 
The higher scoring opener had runs coming across the plate in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings. IUP got things going in the top of the first with an RBI single by Jonathan O'Neill (Pittsburgh/Chartiers Valley), scoring both Dylan Tice (Perkasie/Pennridge) and Chris Calliari (Brockway/Brockway). Mercyhurst answered with a single run in the bottom half as IUP led 2-1 after one.
 
The Crimson Hawks added three in the third as they tried to take control off of Mercyhurst mistakes. A throwing error after an attempted sacrifice bunt brought Calliari around from first and a wild pitch later in the inning scored Tice from third. Aaron Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) was responsible for IUP's third run of the inning with an RBI single to center, bringing around Austin Mock (State College/State College).
 
After the Lakers answered with three of their own in the bottom half, IUP took an 8-4 lead in the fourth after run-scoring base hits from Mock, O'Neill and Ryan Uhl (St. Marys/St. Marys).
 
Entering in relief for starter Kyle Zambanini (Jerome/Conemaugh Twp.) in the fourth, Zach Chinchilla (Ambridge/Quigley Catholic) went the final 3.1 innings of work, allowing one earned run on four hits, striking out two. He shut Mercyhurst down in order in the seventh to improve to 2-0 on the year.
 
IUP collected eight hits in the game, including two each by Mock and O'Neill. Hunter Bigler (Washington/Trinity) and Mock each had a double.
 
The Crimson Hawks struck first in game two, plating three in the top of the second inning. Rick Jones (New Castle/Laurel) had an RBI single while Bigler picked up his second double of the day, bringing around two more.
 
Mercyhurst fought back, however, taking the lead with a four run bottom half to go on top 4-3.
 
The outburst by the Lakers prompted a pitching change by the Crimson Hawks, who countered with Kyle Zaorski (Reading/Muhlenberg) and Zach DeTillio (Pittsburgh/Seneca Valley) the rest of the game. The duo combined to give up just one hit while striking out four, each working three innings apiece.
 
With IUP still facing a 4-3 deficit heading into the seventh, Aaron Lupia (Middletown/Middletown) led off the inning with a double to left. Bigler would sacrifice him to third on a bunt before Calliari drove home the tying run with a single to center. Calliari would later get caught trying to steal second, but Tice worked himself into scoring position with a single and a steal as the Crimson Hawks looked to take the lead with two outs. However, a strikeout ended the IUP threat.
 
The Crimson Hawks took their lead in the eighth, as Mock led things off with a single. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from O'Neill and scored two batters later on a single to center by Mike Lupia (Middletown/Middletown).
 
DeTillio would put two runners on in the bottom half as Mercyhurst threatened with one out, but he would end things by snagging a line drive and doubling up the runner at first to collect his third win of the season and improve to 3-1.
 
The Crimson Hawks finished with nine hits, including two by Tice who finished the day a combined 2-for-3 with three walks, three runs and two stolen bases. Mock had three hits on the day while O'Neill knocked in three runs.
 
IUP returns to its regular weekend divisional games this weekend in a four game series with rival California (PA). The Vulcans will host Friday's games with Saturday's doubleheader being played at IUP's Dougherty Field. First pitch on both days is set for 1 p.m.