CLERMONT, Fla. –
Lauren Hogue (Seneca/Cranberry) had two doubles and drove in three runs in a 7-5 victory over Limestone as the IUP softball team split a pair of games its final day competing at the Dot Richardson Spring Games in Florida.
Hogue went 3-for-4, getting RBI hits in the first, third and fourth innings.
Her first base hit came in the first inning on a one-out single to right field. It scored
Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge) and after a throwing error, Nikki Rzodiewicz as well.
Meghan Carney (Corry/Corry) was responsible for IUP's first run of the game, knocking a single through the left side, scoring
Megan Gould (New Germany/Forest Hills).
Limestone made it a one-run game in the bottom half, bringing two across the plate to make it 3-2. IUP added runs in each of the next two innings, first on a McCoy sacrifice fly in the second followed by Hogue's double in the third. Her double followed a leadoff double by Carney, who would score.
Hogue's second double of the game came in the fourth, knocking a two-bagger to right center to score Rzodkiewicz from second to put IUP on top 6-2.
The Crimson Hawks scored their final run in the fifth, as
Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg Area) crossed home on a throwing error by the Limestone catcher. The Saints attempted a comeback, adding two runs in the bottom of the seventh on a homerun, but IUP starter
Alexa Campbell (Manheim/Manheim Central ) struck out the potential tying run to end the game and give the Crimson Hawks the 7-5 victory.
Campbell threw the complete seven innings, striking out three while giving up 11 hits and five earned runs.
In addition to Hogue, Gould also collected three hits on the day. Carney went 2-for-4 and
Taylor Mercurio (Pittsburgh/Seton-La Salle) had one of IUP's four doubles in the game.
The Crimson Hawks' second game was a 12-4 loss to Urbana. The Blue Knights scored three in the first inning and after some defensive misplays and well placed hits, Urbana led 10-0 after three.
IUP got the offense going in the fourth, as Hogue led off with a walk, which was followed by a double off the bat of
Jordan Meckes (Kunkletown, Pa./Pleasant Valley ) and a single from Mercurio to load the bases. Bryana Lonick brought Hogue in by forcing a walk before Mercer added another on a fielder's choice and got a third run on an RBI single by Gould.
Carney led off the fifth with a double and later scored on another double by Mercurio.
Amanda Spindler (Brownsburg, IN/Cathedral) took the loss, giving up eight unearned runs. Emily Hofman came in and threw the final four innings, giving up a pair of late runs. Mercer and Mercurio each had two hits.
The Crimson Hawks finish their time in Florida with a 2-8 record. Their upcoming three-day tournament in Salem, Va. has been cancelled. IUP's next scheduled game is Tuesday, March 17 in Erie against Mercyhurst.
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