Box Score
SHIPPENSBURG, PA – The Crimson Hawks fell victim to a dominating performance by Shippensburg pitcher Emily Estep as IUP lost to the Raiders 2-0 in the 2014 NCAA Division II Softball Atlantic Regional on Friday afternoon.
 
The loss sets up an elimination game for the Crimson Hawks on Friday, as they'll face Mansfield in this double-elimination tournament.
 
Estep, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Pitcher of the Year, no-hit the Crimson Hawks, striking out 12 and walking three to earn her 24^th win of the season. Alexa Campbell (Manheim/Manheim Central ) gave up just two earned runs for IUP, allowing nine hits without a walk in six innings of work.
 
It was a scoreless game through three as both pitchers dominated their opposing batters. The first Shippensburg run came in the fourth on a Taylor Weisman RBI single following a Maddie Justice double to lead off the inning. Campbell would work her way out of it though, getting back-to-back fly outs to end the inning.
 
The Raiders got their second run of the game in the sixth on a one-out solo shot to right from Taylor Patillo. Weisman followed with a double, but again Campbell worked out of the threat to escape the inning with just that one run.
 
The Crimson Hawks had runners on in the second, fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to capitalize on any opportunity. Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) started the second with a walk and promptly stole second, but a foul out and a pair of strikeouts ended that threat.
 
Positives for the Crimson Hawks included several nice fielding plays, including one back-handed stop by McCoy in the hole at shortstop. Christi Mauk (Claysburg/Claysburg-Kimmel) and second and Mary Ward (Hatfield/North Penn) at third also made key snags in the field to keep Shippensburg at bay. Jasa Mitchell (Snow Shoe/Bald Eagle Area) prevented a run in the sixth with a throw from center to Angela Devereaux (Oakdale/West Allegheny) behind the plate the nail the runner by several steps.
 
If IUP defeats Mansfield on Saturday, the Crimson Hawks will play in another elimination game at 4 p.m. against the loser of Shippensburg and West Virginia Wesleyan. The championship game will be played on Sunday.