CLERMONT, Fla. – The Crimson Hawks picked up the offense but still dropped a pair of softball games, 7-3 to Assumption and 5-4 to the University of Mary on Saturday afternoon at the Dot Richardson Spring Games.
 
IUP had nine total hits in the opener against Assumption, including three by Stefanie McCoy (New Paris/Chestnut Ridge). Two of those hits by McCoy were doubles, as she knocked in a run and also had a stolen base in the game.
 
The Crimson Hawks got on the board first with McCoy's first hit, a single to right that scored leadoff batter Hannah Mercer (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg Area) from second. Mercer had led off the bottom of the first with a double to left center.
 
Assumption took the lead in the second with a two-run homer, but IUP came right back to tie things up as Mercer flied out to center, bringing in Rachel Francis (Jefferson, OH/Jefferson) from third. Assumption picked up two more in the third to take a 4-2 lead while the Crimson Hawks added on in the bottom of the fourth on a throwing error.
 
The Greyhounds added three insurance runs on four hits in the fifth. IUP put two runners in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Assumption got the Crimson Hawks to strike out and pop out to end the game.
 
McCoy was one of seven player to record a hit for IUP. Alexa Campbell (Manheim/Manheim Central ) got the start in the circle and was relieved by Emily Hofman. Hofman tossed the last 2.1 innings striking out one and giving up just one hit.
 
At the time of release, the box score for IUP's game against Mary was not available.
 
The Crimson Hawks are back in action tomorrow, this time playing a pair of later games, starting with Wilmington at 3 p.m. They'll then face Hillsdale at 7 p.m.
 
Visit www.IUPAthletics.com for up-to-date information and follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk.